Voluntary Organisations
SCVO, in common with a number of other support bodies for the voluntary sector, is able to provide information about certain relevant areas of the law but it is not resourced to offer a comprehensive legal information service nor is it qualified to offer professional legal advice. Our web content and various publications are meant to enable voluntary organisations to take their own decisions once they have the information they need. If an organisation requires legal advice on what course of action it should take - as opposed to an understanding of what its options are based on what the law permits and prohibits - it should seek independent professional legal advice i.e. see a lawyer or other suitably qualified individual.
SCVO is aware that this is not always an affordable option for voluntary organisations and so we have launched a free legal advice service in partnership with Harper Macleod, MacRoberts and Lindsays. SCVO Member organisations, with an annual income of less than £500,000, can be referred to one of these firms for up to two hours of free legal advice, please contact the SCVO Information Service on 0800 169 0022 for more details and to access this service.
Depending on the nature of the help required, legal advice for voluntary organisations might be available locally through some Councils for Voluntary Service or through the representative ‘thematic intermediary’ body for certain sections of the voluntary sector (e.g. Voluntary Arts Scotland, Scottish Environment Link, Community Care Providers Scotland). Some Law Centres may also be able to help although they typically work with individuals rather than organisations. While provision will differ in different parts of the country it is always worth asking these organisations for support in the first instance.
Individuals
SCVO quite often receives requests for legal advice from individuals, typically to do with employment disputes. SCVO is not able to act as a legal advisor to individuals. Many Trades Unions offer free legal advice to their members and this may be an option that employees wish to pursue before they decide whether or not to retain private legal advice/representation. As noted above, Law Centres also offer advice to individuals. The SCVO free legal advice service outlined above is not available to individuals.