CABs

[Serial_Apologist]

No, not taxis, but Citizen's Advice Bureaux.

I have a small but important problem to sort out, one on which I needed advice, and just now paid a visit to one of the local CAB offices listed on Google.

It was shut, abandoned by the look of it, (why is it still on Google then?) so I cycled the 2 miles to the next nearest branch, advertised as being in S Norwood. The notice outside (and on Google) about opening times indicated it was open until 4 pm today. A Closed sign was on the door, which was nonetheless not locked, so I wandered in, to be immediately accosted by one of the women on the reception desk just inside, who asked me if I had an appointment.

I said no, I'd just decided to visit on the off-chance, and was told that they were not taking any more today. "Should I make an appointment then, or (smiling) commit suicide?" I asked. I was then told that no appointments are made at that or one other branch she mentioned, (er, then why did she ask?), but that the Croydon office (four more miles away) only admitted customers by appointment, and then only the first ten to apply.

So then, what should I do? Well, the S Norwood branch is closed tomorrow (Friday) and not open until next Tuesday. What I have to do is turn up at opening time next Tuesday, at 10 am, hope I'm not at the end of a long queue, and take my turn. Which is fine, I suppose, except that having delivered something of an ultimatum last Monday to my problem causer, I had rather hoped to have had some clarity on a simple issue of where I stood in relation to the law, which would probably have taken two minutes on which to advise me.

I guess I could have had an order imposed by now, had I the readies to dispose on expensive action. Frankly, while from my account people will probably not be very surprised at what I have found to be the reality of a once much-vaunted service for Joe and Chavinia Daly, I think this is pretty dismal. I wonder what people on here think.

[umslopogaas]

Apologies for stating the obvious, but if the matter is important and urgent, would it not be worth consulting a solicitor? You would probably have to pay, but not very much for a few minutes advice.

Sorry to hear of that experience, I have never used CAB but have always assumed its there if I ever needed it.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I wonder what people on here think.

Oh dear SA, clearly very unimpressive I have no explanation beyond the thought that more and more people with problems, the problems probably getting ever more complex legally, and (I speak from experience in local gov't) the proliferation of internal bureaucratic rules and regs (tons of mandatory paperwork, rules on data protection, inc. not exposing 'clients' to airing their problems where the next 'client' might overhear, etc etc) have probably all contributed to withdrawal of the walk-in service you were hoping for.

One small thought: if yours is a consumer-law issue you could try the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 (weekdays 9-5).

[Serial_Apologist]

Apologies for stating the obvious, but if the matter is important and urgent, would it not be worth consulting a solicitor? You would probably have to pay, but not very much for a few minutes advice.

Sorry to hear of that experience, I have never used CAB but have always assumed its there if I ever needed it.

Yes umslopogaas, I was surprised to find that Penge branch not only closed, but looking as if long abandoned, with a curled up dusty-looking notice on the inside of the door apologising for the closure of the kid's group, but no mention apparent anywhere that it had once been a CAB office.

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh dear SA, clearly very unimpressive I have no explanation beyond the thought that more and more people with problems, the problems probably getting ever more complex legally, and (I speak from experience in local gov't) the proliferation of internal bureaucratic rules and regs (tons of mandatory paperwork, rules on data protection, inc. not exposing 'clients' to airing their problems where the next 'client' might overhear, etc etc) have probably all contributed to withdrawal of the walk-in service you were hoping for.

One small thought: if yours is a consumer-law issue you could try the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 (weekdays 9-5).

No, all it is is someone else's ex-shop crammed in my garage as a "favour" in return for his free computer service, contents which he's delayed removing for now getting on 5 years, notwithstanding gentle hints from me from time to time. Where do I stand, what to do, etc?...

I note there is an advice line phone number on their leaflet, also an on-line address, which I might just try. I have qualms about taking advantage of a service which is undoubtedly in trouble through cuts.

[subcontrabass]

Do you have a local Law Centre?

[Serial_Apologist]

Do you have a local Law Centre?

I must check, thanks SC. At the moment I'm checking up on other CABs in the area with different opening days and times. There's quite a lot of on-line advice which can be checked through under the different headings CABs appear to use for categorising, which is useful to know, or at least know that one's specific issue doesn't seem to appear under any of them!

[Dave2002]

I am afraid I now have virtually no confidence in any of these services - CAB, Trading Standards etc. I also have zero confidence in most solicitors. For me, I'm afraid, the "law" is a broken toy.

If I turn out to be wrong, please tell us, as I'd really like to hear about a good experience involving advice or legal matters.

[french frank]

My only experience was about 15 or so years ago, and it wasn't easy then. I can't see any difficulties on the Bristol website that I wouldn't recognise from my experience - the drop-in centre ('you may be turned away if we're busy') and a telephone service seem the only generally available services. One GP practice also has an appointment system - if you're also a patient there.