A copy of an email I received at my workplace for your info.
The Community Legal Advice website is closing
From the 6 April 2011, access to Community Legal Advice (CLA) online services will change as the website closes.
Information about legal aid and how to access CLA services, including the legal adviser directory and the eligibility calculator will be moving to Directgov. Directgov is the government website for members of the public that has information about government services all in one place.
This change is part of a cross-government initiative to reduce the number of government websites making it easier and simpler for people to find the information they need.
The CLA telephone service remains unchanged (0845 345 4 345) and BSL users will still be able to access legal advice via webcam through the RAD website.
What is moving on to Directgov?
There is now a dedicated section about legal aid on Directgov under the government, citizens and rights section.
To find advice on specific subjects such as debt, employment, housing etc. the search function on the directgov website will take people to the relevant content. These pages then include links to other websites where people can find more information.
Information about CLA and some of the key tools from the CLA website are in the process of being moved to directgov so the changes listed below will not be live until 6 April when the CLA website closes. This is an advance warning of the new links so you can update them on 6 April.
* Eligibility calculator – this will be moved onto Directgov from 6 April. The link to go there directly will be legalaidcalculator.justice.gov.uk
* The legal adviser directory - this will be moved onto Directgov from 6 April. The link to go there directly will be legaladviserfinder.justice.gov.uk
* ‘Call me back’ form for the CLA helpline – this will sit on the Directgov website from 6 April. You will be able to access this through our page on the Directgov directory www.direct.gov.uk/contactCLA.
Anyone using the current CLA website address from 6 April will see a page that says information on CLA is now on Directgov.