Cornwall has long been one of the clearest examples of this crisis. Despite its natural beauty, it is among the most deprived regions in England, and for years there was no local provision of free legal advice. In Penzance especially, communities facing poverty and isolation had nowhere to turn.
Seeing this need, Barrister John Gallagher decided something had to change. Determined to challenge Cornwall’s legal desert, he set out to create a new pro bono service rooted in the community. He partnered with Trelya Community Centre, a hub that already supports families with food, housing and social needs, making it the natural home for a clinic linking people to legal advice and wider help.
The obstacles were immense, from funding to logistics to the specialist knowledge needed for a sustainable service. John turned to LawWorks, and from the outset Richard Lynch, Clinic Support and Development Officer for the South West, provided guidance and resources to lay the foundations.
“LawWorks’ support has been encouraging throughout, and the practical help has made a real difference. Richard, thank you for all your input and for standing with us. Without LawWorks we may not have even seen this past the first year of planning, so thank you, we truly appreciate all that you have done."
After more than two years of persistence and planning, the vision became reality. The West Cornwall Legal Advice Centre (WCLAC) opened in Penzance, the first time free legal advice has been available in Cornwall. On 25 September, it held its first advisory day, giving local people the access they had long been waiting for: advice close to home in a place that understands their needs.
The opening of WCLAC does not end Cornwall’s legal desert, but it marks the first breaking of ground in a landscape barren for too long. It proves what is possible when local determination is matched with the right support. This is what the LawWorks Clinics Network exists to achieve, supporting over 300 free legal advice clinics with resources, training and a community of practice that helps local leaders and volunteers create and sustain services like WCLAC.
At LawWorks we are committed to tackling legal deserts, because access to justice cannot be left to geography or chance. If it can be done in Penzance, it can be done elsewhere. Ending legal deserts will take time, but with courage, collaboration and commitment the gaps can be bridged.
If you would like to support LawWorks’ mission to break ground in legal deserts, you can donate today or fundraise to help expand access to justice.