Thank you!

Law for Life would like to thank all the kind and generous people who give their time, energy and expertise to help us deliver better services for users.

2023 - 2024
  • Natalia Schiffrin, Gabriela Smolinska-Poffley of the Roma Support Group, Joanna Kostka of Lancaster University, Yvonne Blake, and Savita Narain of Family Rights Group for their expertise and feedback on 'A guide for Roma parents on what to expect when working with social workers'.
  • Marc Willers KC of Garden Court Chambers and Elspeth Thomson of David Gray Solicitors for peer reviewing 'A guide for Roma parents on what to expect when working with social workers'. 
  • Victoria Rylatt of Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP for peer reviewing 'A guide to home ownership and living together' and 'Thinking about living together? A beginner's guide'.
  • Phoebe Agyarko for her commitment to a 12 week internship at Law for Life, where she showed passion, dedication and an incredible work ethic. 
  • Rhiannon Hughes of South West London Law Centres, for her time and expertise on our 'Bidding for local authority housing' PLE training module. 
  • David Thomas for peer reviewing 'What you need to know about emergency and temporary accommodation'. 
  • Jeremy Gass, Nicky Lappin, Elizabeth O'Hara, and David Mead, UEA Law School, University of East Anglia for their feedback on 'New protest laws - a beginner's guide'.
  • Owen Greenhall, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers for peer reviewing 'Is protest still legal?'.
  • Tom Wainwright, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers, for peer reviewing 'New protest laws - a beginner's guide'.
  • Jessica Mant of Monash University for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership'. 
  • Karen Dovaston for her indepth expert feedback and peer review of 'How to get a divorce or end a civil partnership'. 
  • Jenny Carter of David Gray Solicitors for peer reviewing 'How to get legal aid for a family law case'. 
  • Roni Russell Jones for her feedback on 'Pensions on divorce - a beginner's guide'.  
2022 - 2023
  • Rhys Taylor, Jenny Carter, and Melanie Bataillard-Samuel for their assistance in advising on and peer reviewing 'A survival guide to divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership' and 'How to get a divorce or end a civil partnership without a lawyer'.
  • Melanie Bataillard-Samuel of MBS Family Law, for peer reviewing 'How to apply for a financial order without a lawyer'.
  • Polly Morgan for peer reviewing 'How to get parental responsibility without a lawyer'. 
  • David Thomas for peer reviewing 'How to fix problems at your privately rented home'. 
  • Ayo Salami for her commitment to a 12 week internship at Law for Life, where she showed fantastic initiative and interest in all the work assigned to her. 
2021 - 2022
  • David Thomas for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to what to do if you are homeless', 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice' and 'How to fix problems with your privately rented home'. 
  • Jessica Mant, Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University, for peer reviewing 'How to apply for parental responsibility'.
  •  Amanda Sawyer (Simpson Millar LLP), Natalia Schiffrin (Magistrate), Paul Sayers and Crina Morteanu (Luton Roma Trust), Gabriela Smolinska-Poffley (Roma Support Group), Joanna Kostka (Lancaster University), Allison Hulmes and Chris Kidd (Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Social Work Association), Cris McCurley (Ben Hoare Bell LLP), members of Parents, Families and Allies Network, and Kate Williams (Law for Life volunteer) for their feedback, expertise and advice on 'A guide to child protection for Roma parents'. 
  • Isabelle Standen and King's Legal Clinic for advising on the impact of the Covid pandemic on social work practice.
  • Katrina Deering for her work on updating our Help Directory. 
  • Sonja Dale of Keele University School of Law for peer reviewing our Witness statements and expert report guide.
  • Brett Dixon for peer reviewing How to make a small claim for injuries caused by a car accident.
  • Philippa Johnson for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to family mediation'. 
  • Melanie Bataillard-Samuel for peer reviewing 'How to make a living together agreement'. 
  • Charlotte Green for preparing an information resource for participants of our housing-rights course for survivors of domestic abuse and for her work promoting our housing training and information resources.
  • Polly Morgan, Associate Professor of Law, for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to child arrangements' and 'How to apply for a child arrangements order without a lawyer'.
  • Rhys Taylor of 36 Group Chambers, for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to living together and breaking up'. 
  • Sam Lister and John Perry of the Chartered Institute of Housing, for reviewing 'A survival guide to starting a tenancy and right to rent checks'.
2020-2021
  • Ashley Fredericks, from Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre, for peer reviewing 'How to start a civil claim', 'After you start a civil claim', 'Witness statements and expert reports', 'How to prepare a trial bundle and index', and 'How to appeal against a county court decision'.
  • Rhys Taylor for advising on and peer-reviewing 'A survival guide to pensions on divorce'.
  • The following members of and contributors to the Pension Advisory Group; Hilary Woodward, Paul Cobley, Rhys Taylor, Debora Price, Mena Ruparel, Professor Rosemary Hunter, Jo Miles, Grant Lazarus, Tom Farrell and Matthew Richardson for their expertise, advice and feedback on 'A survival guide to pensions on divorce'. 
  • Nicola Sharp and Sarah Marshall for their expertise, advice and feedback on 'A survival guide to pensions on divorce'. 
  • Renee Stanton, Hannah Noton, Sarah Underwood, Stephanie Smart, Luke Moseley, Mary Bartlam, Sue Myatt, Anne Sturdy and Angela for their feedback on 'A survival guide to pensions on divorce'. 
  • Jessica Mant, Paul Bryson, Jeremy Thompson and Natalia Schiffrin for their expertise, advice and feedback on 'Court and tribunal hearings and Coronavirus'. 
  • Laetitia Tempelman for her feedback on 'A survival guide to home ownership and living together'. 
  • Hilary Woodward, Rhys Taylor and Melanie Bataillard-Samuel for advising on and peer-reviewing 'A survival guide to home ownership and living together'. 
  • David Thomas for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to what to do if you are homeless'.
2019-2020
  • Hilary Woodward and Paul Cobley of the Pension Advisory Group for providing expertise and feedback on 'A survival guide to sorting out your finances when you get divorced'.
  • Abubakar Mehdi for reviewing our Help Directory content.
  • David Thomas for providing expertise and feedback on 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice'.
  • Rhiannon Jones, Shirley Mcdonagh, Matthew Bass of the PSU Exeter and staff at Nextlink Bristol for their advice and feedback on 'How to get legal aid for a family law problem'.
  • Amanda Sawyer and Jacqui Dunn, of Simpson Millar LLP, for advising on and peer reviewing 'How to get legal aid for a family law problem'.
  • Melanie Bataillard-Samuel of Expatriate Law, for advising on and peer reviewing 'Getting an international divorce'.
  • Shirley Hart, Annie Sands and Rowan Milligan for their advice and feedback on 'When the other side has a lawyer - a guide for Litigants in Person'. 
  • Paul Bryson and colleagues at Bristol Support Through Court for their advice and feedback on 'When the other side has a lawyer - a guide for Litigants in Person'. 
  • Jess Mant of Cardiff University and David Abbott of the Free Representation Unit for their expertise and feedback on 'When the other side has a lawyer - a guide for Litigants in Person'. 
  • Laura Bee of University of Leicester for peer reviewing 'Evidence needed to sue someone', 'How to settle a claim', and 'Before you sue - things you need to know about court procedure'.
  • Sheran Taylor of East Devon Citizens Advice for peer reviewing 'How to win an appeal about a Work Capability Assessment'.
  • Judith Emmett, Clare Shirtcliff and Susan May for their work drafting, editing and reviewing civil guides.
2018-2019
  • Shirley Mcdonagh, Lizzy Nazer, Matthew Bass of the PSU Exeter and staff at Nextlink Bristol for their advice and feedback on the script of 'How to do your application for an injunction following domestic violence' and the guides 'How to write your statement your FL401 form to apply for a non - molestation order and 'How to write your statement for your FL401 form to apply for a non - molestation and occupation order'.
  • Alex Lowry, Rita Suglani and Sarah London of RCJ Advice/FLOWS, for peer reviewing the script of 'How to do your application for an injunction following domestic violence' and the guides 'How to write your statement your FL401 form to apply for a non - molestation order and 'How to write your statement for your FL401 form to apply for a non - molestation and occupation order'. 
  • Nina Calder of Centrepoint and Janna Watt of Crisis for their expertise and feedback on 'A survival guide to what to do if you are threatened with homelessness', 'A survival guide to what to do if you are homeless', and 'How to challenge the decision about your homelessness application'. 
  • Stuart Meyers, Mihaela Rosca, Amarjit Singh and Simone Helleren for their advice and feedback on 'A survival guide to what to do if you are threatened with homelessness', 'A survival guide to what to do if you are homeless', and 'How to challenge the decision about your homelessness application'. 
  • Will Hadwen, contributor to CPAG Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits handbook, Sabine Isaac, Melissa Markwell of the Royal Brtish Legion, Greg Voiels from the Wolverhampton Welfare Rights Service (City of Wolverhampton Council), Katy Watts and Matt Ahluwalia of Public Law Project, and Amira Asghar for advice and feedback on 'A survival guide to benefit sanctions'.
  • David Thomas for advising on and peer reviewing 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice', 'How to get repairs done at your privately rented home', 'A survival guide to what to do if you are threatened with homelessness', 'A survival guide to what to do if you are homeless', and 'How to challenge the decision about your homelessness application'. 
  • Lucy Grey, Senior Associate, Allen & Overy, for advising on and peer reviewing 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice'.
  • Jessica Mant, Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University, for peer reviewing 'A Survival Guide to Divorce and Dissolution' and 'A Survival Guide to sorting out arrangements for your children'.  
  • Sangeeta Enright for providing expertise and feedback on the Work Capability Assessment Appeal guide.
  • Chris Parsons, Tower Hamlets Law Centre, for providing expertise and feedback on the Work Capability Assessment Appeal guide.
  • Jane Owen-Pam, Parkinson's UK, for providing expertise and feedback on the Work Capability Assessment Appeal guide.
  • Chris Beer, Friendly Forms, for providing expertise and feedback on the Work Capability Assessment MR tool.
2017-2018
  • Jane Rayson, barrister and trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, for reviewing 'A survival guide to Living Together and breaking up'.
  • Judith Emmett for contributing to and advising on our civil guides series.
  • Mrs Tobin and the Year 6 children of Holmfirth Junior, Infant and Nursery School for feedback on survey questions for children.
  • Margaret Doyle, independent mediator and researcher, for feedback on the latest update of 'How to sort out your legal problem before or instead of going to court'.
  • Lucy Grey, Senior Associate, Allen & Overy LLP for peer reviewing and commenting on Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people.
  • Benedetta Doria, Child’s Rights Advisor - Help at Hand, Children's Commissioner's Office for reviewing Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people.
  • Ruth Gibson, Senior Student Adviser – Student Advice Centre, Newcastle University Students’ Union for reviewing Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people and co-ordinating reviews from other advisers and students.

  • Duncan Lane, Director of Advice & Training, UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) for reviewing Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people.

  • Susan Mueller, Project Director, Stand Alone for arranging for Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people to be reviewed by young service users.
  • Pamela Verma, Development Officer, Youth Access for reviewing Getting a guarantor - information for students and young people.

  • Richard Stacey, Welfare Rights Advisor, St Pauls Advice Centre for helping to update 'How to win a PIP appeal'.
  • Andrew Whittaker, from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth for helping to update 'How to deal with an Interview under Caution about your benefits'.
2016-2017
  • Will Stone, Solicitor, Avon & Bristol Law Centre for reviewing 'Getting help to pay for legal advice about a tribunal case'.

  • Jane Rayson, barrister and trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, for reviewing 'Getting help to pay for legal advice about a family problem'.
  • Staff and committee members at the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) for reviewing 'Getting help to pay for legal advice about a civil (non-criminal) legal problem' and 'Getting help to pay for legal advice about a family problem'.
  • David Thomas for advising on and peer reviewing 'How to get repairs done at your privately rented home' and 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice'.
  • Deirdre Forster of Anthony Gold Solicitors for advising on 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice'.
  • Camden Federation of Private Tenants, Haringey Housing Action Group and Tower Hamlets Renters for all their help, comments and improvements to 'How to get repairs done at your privately rented home' and 'How to deal with a section 21 eviction notice'.
  • Jane Llewellyn-Dixon for reading and commenting on 'How to get repairs done at your privately rented home'.
  • Rachel Ingelby for peer reviewing 'How to win a DLA appeal'.
  • Jane Owen-Pam from The National Autistic Society, Jim McKenny, Kath Moulds, Helen Dibblin, Roseanne Hughes, Lucy Lloyd-Scott, and Sagarika Thomas for all their help, comments and improvements to 'How to win a DLA appeal'.

  • Judith Emmett for contributing to and advising on 'How to use a grievance procedure to deal with discrimination and other problems at work'.

  • Jane Llewellyn-Dixon for reading and commenting on 'How to use a grievance procedure to deal with discrimination and other problems at work'.

  • Rosie Godfrey-Davies for peer reviewing the Welsh translation of our Going to Court postcard. 

  • Jim McKenny for peer reviewing  'How to win a PIP appeal'.

  • Rachel Ingleby, Jane Owen-Pam from The National Autistic Society, Sangeeta Enright from Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Christine Hallam-Cutler from Macmillan Benefits Rotherham,  Sue Lovell  from Cornwall Council, Chris Beer,  and Jim McKenny for all their help, comments and improvements to 'How to win a PIP appeal' and the 'PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Request tool'.

2015-2016
  • Martin Dancey, Circuit Judge, Bournemouth Family and County Courts for peer reviewing 'How to apply for parental responsibility without the help of a lawyer'.
  • The PSU volunteers who kindly reviewed and commented on a draft of 'How to apply for parental responsibility without the help of a lawyer'.
  • Lorna O'Reilly, Welfare Benefits Adviser, for reviewing the e-learning module about benefit sanctions.
  • Becks Hobbs for her kind donation of her photographs.
  • Walter Scott for his kind donation of his photographs.
  • Martin Dancey, District Judge, Bournemouth Family and County Courts for peer reviewing 'A survival guide to sorting out your finances when you get divorced'.
  • The PSU volunteers who kindly reviewed and commented on a draft of 'A survival guide to sorting out your finances when you get divorced'.
  • Judith Emmett, for her help in reviewing 'A survival guide for Young Workers'.
  • Martin Tunley, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, for his help in reviewing 'How to deal with an Interview Under Caution'
2014-2015
  • Martin Dancey, District Judge, Bournemouth Family and County Courts for peer reviewing 'Applying for a financial order without the help of a lawyer' and Applying for a court order about the arrangements for your children without the help of a lawyer.
  • Jane Rayson, barrister and trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, for peer reviewing the guides 'How to get a divorce or end a civil partnership without the help of a lawyer' and 'How to fill in your financial statement (Form E) without the help of a lawyer'.
  • Ursula Rice, Family First Solicitors, for peer reviewing the films "How to represent yourself in family court" film and the "How to complete form E" film.
  • Pramila Meghani, for peer reviewing the "Survival guide to sorting out arrangements for your children" guide.
2013-2014
  • Jane Rayson, barrister and trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, for peer reviewing the guide 'Applying for a financial order without the help of a lawyer'.
  • Julie Gray, Ronnie Deakin and all the members of the 'Dealing with bailiffs' publications panel for their help in reviewing this guide.
  • Members of the 'Seven steps' email publications panel for their thoughtful and helpful feedback.
  • Eleanor Harding, for her help reviewing and commenting on two guides for litigants in person.
  • All the PSU volunteers who have kindly reviewed and commented on various guides for litigants in person.
  • Vendula Vecerova, for her help in reviewing and editing the Housing and homelessness category of the Advicenow information service.
  • Gerard Pitt, for his help in reviewing the benefits administration and benefits for families and children sections of the Advicenow information service.
  • Jana Elles and Dave Walsh for their help in reviewing the Interviews Under Caution guide.
  • Andrew Worthley, Stuart Scott, and Jacqueline Humphreys for peer reviewing our guides to family issues. Thanks also to Bar Pro Bono unit for organising it.
  • Ann Lewis, Kate Dunn, Mark Sefton, Emma Grant, Umaima Peracha, Jan Salihi, and Danny Hardie and all the members of our family law panel for their assistance on all of our guides to family issues.
2012-2013
  • Raminder Kaur, law graduate, for her help in reviewing the consumer affairs section of the Advicenow information service.
  • Deirdre Forster of Powell Forster Solictors for reviewing the section on personal injuries litigation.
  • Judith Emmett, for her help in reviewing the education and training section of the Advicenow information service.
  • Kelly Lingard, law graduate, for her help in reviewing the human rights and benefits section of the Advicenow information service.
  • John M Andrews, for his help reviewing the tax section of the Advicenow information service.
  • District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Naomi Redhouse for reviewing the police and crime category.
  • Jane Craig for her help with our 'How to make a Living Together Agreement guide'.
2011-2012
  • Miriam Carrion Benitez, Barrister, for her help in updating How to get good asylum advice.
  • Deirdre Forster of Powell Forster Solictors for reviewing the section on personal injuries litigation.
  • Julie Gray of Islington Law Centre for her help in updating Dealing with Bailiffs.
  • Lucie Greene, of Philcox Gray & Co Solicitors for reviewing the Housing and homelessness category.
  • Kate Whittaker for reviewing the health and social care category. Kate is a freelance solicitor and trainer and a community care law consultant at Scott-Moncrieff and Associates.
  • Amy Woods of Islington Law Centre for her help in updating two of our guides -Dealing with discrimination at work – how to use the grievance procedure and Young Workers.
2010-2011
  • Dulcie Domfeh for reviewing our information service.
  • Ged Sturdy for designing the 'Is that discrimination?' logo
  • Emy Lou Photography for donating her photography skills.