Your Rights: Scope

What does the service offer?
Liberty will provide advice and information on queries relating to human rights law, we are unable to assist with general legal queries. This service is only available to voluntary sector organisations (other services are available to the public). Advice given under this service is not to be considered formal legal advice. We can only advise on matters arising in England & Wales.

Will Liberty take on the case?
Liberty is a campaigning organisation that only takes on cases that we believe will set important precedent or that will lead to a change in the law. These test cases are designed to force changes in the law, usually by mounting a challenge under European human rights law or the Human Rights Act 1998. We do not do general case work. We receive a great deal of queries but only take up a very small proportion of these as cases.

A solicitor is already involved, can Liberty still advise?
Liberty is not able to advise individuals who already have a solicitor acting for them, as it would be a breach of the Solicitors Practice Rules. You should advise the individual to raise any questions or concerns about their case with their solicitor.

Liberty does have a telephone advice service for solicitors who are seeking assistance on Human Rights Act issues relating to their cases. If their solicitor holds a civil or criminal legal aid contract he or she can contact us on 0808 808 4546.

If your organisation holds a Legal Services Commission contract, you should use Liberty’s Specialist Support Service

If you are a member of the public and would like advice, please click here

Scope of Liberty's Voluntary Sector Advice Service