South Tyneside Community Legal Service

Local Advice Providers

A number of agencies provide advice services to residents of South Tyneside. All of the organisations below hold the CLS Quality Mark so that you can be confident about receiving a service that meets an agreed minimum standard.

In addition, the Community Legal Service (CLS) website gives you access to several thousand solicitors firms and independent advice agencies all of whom hold the Quality Mark quality standard. Use CLS Directory feature to search for an adviser by area of law, location and other criteria. The Directory is also available over the telephone through the CLS Call Centre on 0845 608 1122.

Community Legal Service Telephone Helplines
 The following services are funded by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to provide free advice for people who are financially eligible for public funding. They are available to people living in the North East of England.

Services funded by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) that provide free advice.
Area of law Provider Telephone Opening hours
Debt/money advice DAWN 0845 120 2933 Mon-Fri 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
Debt/money advice Capita 0845 120 2951 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Employment Capita 0845 120 2952 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Welfare Benefits Capita 0845 120 2954 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Solicitors
 Solicitors firms based in South Tyneside and the areas of law in which they specialise are set out below. All perform publicly funded work under the Legal Aid scheme.

List of solicitiors in south Tyneside
Firm Town Telephone Specialist areas
Aileen Tallintire South Shields 0191 4541101 Family, Welfare Benefits
Graeme Cook South Shields 0191 4567893 Family
David C Hatfield Jarrow 0191 4897639 Family
Geoffrey Forrester South Shields 0191 4562255 Family
Geoffrey Forrester Jarrow 0191 4200820 Family
Hannay and Hannay South Shields 0191 4555361 Family, Welfare Benefits, Employment, Debt
Ian Cruickshank   0191 4280900 Family
Patterson Glenton & Stracey South Shields 0191 4560281 Family
Southern Stewart & Walker South Shields 0191 4270770 Family
Southern Stewart & Walker South Shields 0191 4567788 Family
Grunhut Makepeace & Duffy South Shields 0191 4563201 Family
Terence Carney Jarrow 0191 4838771 Family
Ward Hadaway South Shields 0191 4568721 Family
Watson & Brown South Shields 0191 4550251 Family

Use the Community Legal Service Just Ask! Directory to search for a solicitor outside the area, or telephone the Community Legal Service Directory Line on 0845 608 1122.

South Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau
 Provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a diverse range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. With offices in South Shields and Jarrow the CAB is only able to advise people who live or work in South Tyneside.

Tel: 0870 1264098

South Tyneside Council - Welfare Rights Service
 The Welfare Rights Service provides advice and casework for the general public on welfare rights, employment and debt issues. Advice is also available on a range of issues including community care, consumer and housing. Services are provided from ferry Street, South Shields, the Nook, South Shields and the Town Hall in Jarrow.

Tel: 0191 456 6296 (Ferry Street office)
0191 427 1500 (The Nook office)
0191 428 0417 (Jarrow office)

South Tyneside Council - Trading Standards
 Trading Standards Officers enforce legislation controlling the quantity, quality, safety, price and description of most goods and services. We do this by investigating complaints, carrying out inspections of trade premises, providing advice and assistance to businesses and consumers alike, and carrying out test purchases of goods to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. Consumer Advice Officers provide advice and assistance to consumers and traders in relation to civil disputes

Tel: 0191 424 7898 and 0191 424 4400.

Sunderland & South Tyneside Family Mediation Service
 Mediation for couples who are considering separation/divorce or who are still in conflict following separation/divorce. Mediation to resolve matters relating to contact, residence, property and financial matters. The agency runs two contact centres where children can spend time with absent parents. Interview facilities are available in South Shields and Hebburn.

Tel: 0191 567 8282

Shelter North East Housing Aid Centre
Shelter provides expert support and advice to people who are homeless or have housing problems. Casework services are also provided. Shelter provides a range of information sheets on local housing options and general information for the public on homelessness and housing issues.

1-2 Blackfriars Court, Dispensary Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4XB

Email: tyneside@shelter.org.uk Web: www.shelter.org.uk

Tel: 0844 515 1601 Fax: 0844 515 2914

Boldon Lane Neighbourhood Advice Centre
 Provides advice and information on welfare benefits, employment, consumer issues and debt. Also provides representation at tribunal and county court hearings.

Tel: 0191 4543924

Hebburn Neighbourhood Advice Centre
 Offers advice on a range of issues including benefits, disability, employment, housing, money and debt.

Tel: 0191 4839806

Age Concern – South Tyneside
 Provides a range of services for older people including an advice centre offering information on a variety of issues. Based in South Shields, outreach services are also provided in Jarrow.

Tel: 0191 4566903

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