We at FLAC appreciate that it is an uncertain and unsettling time for everyone; as organisations, as employers and as individuals.
We want to reassure you that FLAC and PILA stand ready to help individuals and organisations as much as we can to navigate the legal issues likely to arise in the coming weeks and months. We are acutely aware that this pandemic will hit those who are already our most marginalised and disadvantaged communities. It is absolutely vital that we all strive to continue to deliver our legal services to these communities at a time when they will need them most.
We are encouraging our NGO partners and any social justice organisations that need legal assistance to continue to reach out to us for pro bono assistance. We also encourage you to refer your individual clients to FLAC as appropriate should they require legal information in the coming weeks and months.
FLAC – for individuals
FLAC's national network of in-person clinics for individuals has been suspended.
However, our phone lines are continuing to operate. If you have a legal information query you can contact us on 1890 350250 or 01 8745690. The phone line will be open Monday to Friday 9.30-1pm and 2-5pm.
FLAC is also providing remote phone clinics with volunteer lawyers in the areas of family law, immigration law, employment law and general law. Appointments will be made on a needs and availability basis and can be made through the phone line at the numbers above.
PILA – for organisations
The PILA team are working remotely and continue to have email and phone access at the usual numbers.
You can contact either of us at:
deirdre.malone@flac.ie or 01 8873624
rachel.power@flac.ie or 1 887 3630
We have already had a great response from both members of the Bar, solicitors and law firms who have shown readiness to assist and engage as much as they can. We have also been in contact with the international pro bono community to collaborate on how we can most effectively respond to this crisis.
FAQs have been prepared and circulated in the most pressing issues likely to arise for NGOs and for individuals in the areas of employment, social welfare, debt, and landlord & tenant matters. These will be regularly updated as the situation evolves.
As part of our COVID-19 response, we were also delighted to collaborate with TrustLaw and our legal partners A&L Goodbody, Arthur Cox and McCann FitzGerald to host three webinars for NGOs and social enterprises on Employment Law, Charity Law and Contracts. Recordings of these webinars are available here.
We will be circulating information through all of our usual communication channels:
Website: www.flac.ie
Twitter: @FLACireland
@PILAireland
Facebook: facebook.com/FLACireland
facebook.com/PILA.ie
We look forward to supporting you and your organisations at this challenging time.