News & Events


Immigration – Government consolation on proposed changes

The UK Government has recently outlined a series of significant immigration reforms including changes to Earned Settlement.

The current time to settlement is 5 years but this baseline is to be increased to 10 years. There will be factors that increase or decrease the time to settlement. The Home Secretary would like the changes to apply to people who are already in the UK but who have not yet been granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Those with ILR are currently permitted to access public funds. The government are consulting on whether to change the conditions of settlement so settled individuals have no recourse to public funds. 

Read More

Recruitment – Executive Support and Governance Administrator

Executive Support and Governance Administrator – Full time

Derbyshire Law Centre are a leading Law Centre provide specialist legal advice to communities across Derbyshire. We provide advice on Housing, Debt, Immigration, Discrimination and Employment matters.

We are seeking an experienced administrator who is accomplished in working at a senior level. This vital role will ensure the smooth delivery of our services. Our Administrators provide essential administrative and typing support to the Law Centre, helping maintain efficiency, accuracy, and professionalism across all operations.

Read More

Accessible Rail For Derybyshire – Meeting with MPs

Today we have hosted a meeting with disabled individuals, MPs and stakeholders to discuss the issues people face trying to travel by rail in our county. Attendees raised a lot of key points and the benefits of their lived experience was was eye opening. As a result of this, local MPs will be contacting the train companies to ask for greater support. It’s been a very productive day for our Accessible Rail For Derybyshire Campaign.

Read More

Our Accessible Rail Campaign

This week we’re focusing on our to achieve better rail travel for passengers with disabilities.

On Monday we were joined by Louise Jones MP and Toby Perkins MP who travelled with our team and volunteers from Chesterfield Station. They took part in a sight-loss simulation and experienced the passenger assist service.

On Thursday we’re bringing representatives from Northern Rail, Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road, as well as others to discuss possibilities for improvements in Derbyshire.

Read More

eVisa Clinics – new dates!

We are running eVisa clinics across Derbyshire to help support the Government’s transition to a digital immigration system. UK Visas and Immigration are creating a digital immigration system. This means they are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.

You don’t need to make an appointment – just turn up to a clinic! 

Read More

Legal Aid Agency Cyber Security Incident

On Friday 16 May the Legal Aid Agency discovered a cyber attack which took place in April, was more extensive than originally understood and that the group behind it had accessed a large amount of information relating to legal aid applicants.

They believe the group has accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who applied for legal aid through their digital service since 2010.

Read More

Changes to Employment at Derbyshire Law Centre

We’re changing the way our Employment unit is structured.

At the end of March 2025 a significant proportion of our funding for our Employment Law Service came to an end. This means that we have had to reduce our team to 1 Solicitor, as well as reducing telephone call backs by 50%. We will be limited to initial telephone advice and will only be able to take on casework in exceptional circumstances. We are still providing a low cost option for different aspects of Employment Law for example Settlement Agreements and will be able to support clients who have experienced Discrimination at Work.

Read More

Derbyshire Law Centre receives EDI and Legal Aid Award

The Sheffield and District Legal Aid Society has awarded Derbyshire Law Centre two awards at the Annual Society Dinner at the end of February.

We are delighted to have been chosen for these awards. We work incredibly hard to offer an inclusive service that reflects our community and provide accessible, free legal advice to local residents. These awards are hugely appreciated and we’d like to thank all of the judges and other nominees for all of the help that they give in the legal community.

Read More

Internal Changes at Derbyshire Law Centre 2025

Happy new year to all of our friends and colleagues in the local area, we hope you had a restful festive break.

The new year brings changes for us at Derbyshire Law Centre. As some of you are aware the Law Centre was founded with a flat management structure reporting to our Board of Trustees. This management structure has allowed the organisation to respond to the needs of our community through collective decision making.

Read More