Join our volunteer team for a rewarding opportunity to work in courts across England and Wales helping people facing court without a lawyer.
Our charity’s service is only possible because of the time, dedication and commitment of our volunteers. Attending court alone is daunting. Those we support are usually unable to access any formal legal help yet need to be able to present their own case clearly and without emotion – often facing professional barristers in court. At a time of great stress, this can seem an insurmountable task.
Our volunteers provide both reassurance and guidance, so that our clients have the very best chance of engaging with the courts with both dignity and confidence.
Service volunteers support clients by:
- explaining how the court works
- helping to fill in court forms and organise court papers
- helping clients plan what they want to say in court
- going into court hearings with them
Who can volunteer
We welcome applicants aged 18 or over with relevant skills, experience and time such as:
- experience of working with people and good command of spoken and written English is essential
- initiative, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills will help with some of the challenges you might face while volunteering
- common sense, compassion and reliability
- must be available a minimum of two days per month for a minimum of a year
Legal knowledge is not necessary, although some familiarity with the legal environment is helpful. If you are a practising solicitor or barrister, you are still eligible to volunteer, but additional guidance applies. If you are practising, please inform the relevant service staff member when you make your application.
Read our comprehensive volunteer application pack below to find out more about how volunteering benefits you, your role and expectations, the onboarding process and further development opportunities.
Apply to become a volunteer
If you can spare at least two days per month volunteering, we would love to hear from you.
Please note the following when applying:
- due to our local university partnerships, many services are only able to accept student applications through our university partners.
- during the application process we will ask for and check references, including information on any criminal record and suitability to work with vulnerable people.
- please contact the local service and speak with the Service Manager if you:
- need a reasonable adjustment for a disability or significant health problem
- are currently, or have recently been, involved in court proceedings
Please view our Volunteer Privacy Policy for information on what data is collected from volunteers and volunteer applicants as well as how the data will be used.
You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions to see the answers to common questions about the volunteering role.
Other volunteering opportunities
Maybe you have some specific skills you could offer us. We need volunteers to support our small staff team in areas such as IT, fundraising, and general administrative work. Please contact your local service to discuss how you can support us.