Emma Spiers joined us to talk about the Chelmsford Personal Support Unit. This is a charity that helps people who cannot afford a solicitor. There are 24 offices serving the entire country and the Chelmsford office covers the whole of East Anglia.
The offices are court-based and volunteers tend to be law students, retirees (often ex-magistrates) and part-time workers. The Chelmsford office has 36 volunteers plus Emma who is the only paid staff member. Volunteers receive a full days training plus three separate days of shadowing experienced volunteers. They also have on-the job training and external training from Mediation Services and . They are not allowed to give legal advice but may help with form-filling, legal jargon, preparing witness statements and provision of moral support.