Faculty’s pro bono service forges link with polio charity

British Polio has been accepted as an accredited agency of the Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU), enabling it to refer cases for advice or representation by volunteer advocates.

The FLSU provides access to justice for people who would otherwise be unable to pursue their rights, because legal aid or other funding is not available.

It works with almost 30 partner advice agencies, through which applications for assistance are made, including Citizens Advice Scotland, Ethnic Minorities Law Centre, Scottish Child Law Centre and Scottish Women’s Aid.

British Polio is the latest to join the list of agencies. It is dedicated to helping and supporting around 120,000 people in the UK who are living with the late effects of polio and post polio syndrome (PPS), a chronically debilitating neurological condition which can occur in people who had survived polio in their youth.

Ted Hill, MBE, chief executive at British Polio, said: “British Polio is proud to have been granted accredited status by the FLSU who do sterling work for the community in Scotland, and now our members north of the border will have the opportunity to be represented in the most needy and deserving cases.

“Access to justice is an important human right, but it is meaningless unless individuals can exercise that right, and the FLSU and their dedicated team of volunteers will now give effect to those rights.”

Mungo Bovey QC, FLSU convenor, said: “The Faculty is pleased to welcome British Polio to its pro bono service. We are glad to contribute to the important work done by this charity.”