| Product: |
Citizens Advice Bureau |
| Date: |
16/10/08 (97 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Free
Disadvantages: Slow, long waiting times, muddled system of seeing people
The Citizen's Advice Bureau is a service which is very much in demand. It provides information on legal and rights matters free of charge.
Much of their time is spent helping people to deal with legal cases including family matters, court cases, housing and things of that nature.
Most staff are volunteers with a basic training but no specific expertise unless they have previously worked in those areas.
Our local branch has a visiting solicitor who will give legal advice if you make an appointment to see him/her.
The system for giving help seems to be a little bit strange. You have to drop in between set hours and sit and wait which if fine as there are many people in need of help.
The only time I ever went there for free advice I came away after 6 hours without seeing anyone.
I was quite upset because I waited all morning and then was told to come back in the afternoon and wait again, so I did.
Each time I though I was next in line other people were taken straight through to the advisor's office as they walked in. I enquired and was told that these people had appointments.
That struck me as odd because I was told I couldn't have an appointment and I would need to wait.
So, the system did not work for me. There is a phone advice service but I was unable to speak to anyone after trying for three weeks.
Some branches will give advice via email but the one near me doesn't.
I am aware that this free service is heavily used and doesn't have the capacity to cope with the numbers of people needing help, but I wasted so much time trying to get help that I had to give up and pay for legal advice on a consumer matter.
Yes, they do a good job if you are lucky enough to be seen before you get fed up with waiting, but you'll need lots of time to spare and a great deal of patience.
Summary: Free advice for those who have the time to wait
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Last comments:
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- 16/10/08 Didn you know their number one enquiry is how to chnage one sname. |
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- 16/10/08 Afraid I have to agree with you, the service is overwhelmed and often lacks sufficioent depth of knowledge. But its still better than nothing. Sue |
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- 16/10/08 I have to say, I agree with your comments. Over 3 months ago I sent them an email after finding their information on their website (suggesting that this might be easier as they are so inundated) im still waiting.....! Ive given up, must be a great service - if you can speak to someone that is! |
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