Service tackles language poser

An innovative new service which enables non-English speakers access to legal advice has been devised in Shropshire.

The scheme was launched by county law firm Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in partnership with specialist translating and interpreting experts Dixon Associates.

Asking for legal advice is daunting at the best of times, but for those that lack confidence using the English language it can be a confusing and harrowing ordeal. The net affect is that many members of our community do not ask for legal support when and if they need it.

Marie Lycett, managing director of Dixon Associates, said: "The increase of economic and social migration from within the European Community and the ever-increasing ethnic diversity of our communities, has resulted in a high volume of non-English-speaking individuals living and working within the West Midlands.

"These individuals do not know where to turn when they require legal advice. Working in partnership with Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, we can now provide a multi-lingual query service, so that all our community has access to legal advice in a language they understand."

The translation service runs primarily via Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors web site: www.lblaw.co.uk. Individuals can assess this site and select their chosen language. They then call a designated 0800 number and their call is managed by a linguistic expert. Their query is then communicated to a specialist solicitor who advises them of the route forward.

David Battisby, Lanyon Bowdler's managing partner, said: "We are proud to offer this innovative service for the non-English-speaking members of our community. As a modern firm we focus on the constantly changing needs of our clients. The new legal translation service will make access to legal advice easier for those who need it, regardless of their spoken language."

Lanyon Bowdler is one of Shropshire's largest law firms with 12 partners and over 200 experienced staff. The firm has offices in Wellington, Ludlow, Telford Town Centre and Shrewsbury.