North Lanarkshire Community Legal Service

North Lanarkshire Community Legal Service

The North Lanarkshire Community Legal Service (NLCLS), funded by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and works in partnership with Motherwell and Wishaw CAB. 

NLCLS aims to provide legal and debt advice throughout North Lanarkshire to those facing homelessness. The Project comprises of 4 services which together ensure not only the threat of homelessness is removed but also that the root causes can be addressed.

NLCLS Referral Service

The NLCLS Project Coordinator performs a signposting role and acts as a central point of contact: identifying potential client service needs and assessing where these needs can be best met. This may be within or outside the umbrella of the project. The Referral Officer then facilitates and assists clients in attaining the required services. .

NLCLS Debt Advice Service

NLCLS Airdrie Debt Advisers provide specialist debt advice, dealing with matters such as income maximisation and a range of debt options e.g. bankruptcy, DAS and voluntary repayment arrangements to service users from across the community. The assistance offered includes negotiations with mortgage lenders and landlords in order to prevent the escalation of priority debts to legal action that could result in homelessness.

Many clients find themselves in difficulty due to benefit restrictions, low incomes, job losses and family breakdown. We work to increase incomes where possible, and negotiate with creditors to agree a suitable debt solution for the clients, for instance, repayment plans, Debt Arrangement Scheme, Trust Deed or Bankruptcy.

NLCLS In Court Advice Service

Advice wherever you need it - Even court

Established in 2003, the In-Court Advice Service (ICAS) at Airdrie Sheriff Court has been of service to the community for over 20 years, providing invaluable help to people involved in civil court actions. It was incorporated into the North Lanarkshire Community Legal Service project on 1st October, 2012. Our ICAS Adviser provides an emergency duty service on civil court days. The priority workload of the ICAS adviser is assisting people who are facing homelessness through court proceedings for rent or mortgage arrears.

NLCLS Simple Procedure Service

Our NLCLS Simplified Procedure Adviser provides specialist advice and assistance to those pursuing and defending simplified procedure claims in the Sheriff Court. We deal with numerous cases each year on a number on ranging matters.