Law Centres in Manchester facing closure

As we watch “high profile” criminal and divorce "ancillary relief" cases proceeding through the courts, it is worth noting that at the far end of the legal scale very valuable Law Centres are now struggling to survive.  This is certainly the case in Manchester where two centres serving deprived areas may have to close before Christmas – see  “Manchester Law Centres may face closure” – The Guardian 21^st October 2010.  It appears that the Law Centres have lost out to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in a tendering process.  For many years, the Centre has provided free legal advice and representation in important areas such as housing, welfare benefits, employment etc.  See South Manchester Law Centre.