Providing free legal representation for the public
and advocacy experience for junior lawyers
NEED HELP?
FRU provides representation in employment and social security hearings. We only take cases from our referral agencies and cannot guarantee representation.
REFERRAL AGENCIES
Cases are referred to us by registered referral agencies. For more information on referring cases to FRU, click the link below.
VOLUNTEER AT FRU
If you'd like to volunteer to represent FRU's clients in social security or employment hearings, read the pages below.
An introduction to FRU
FRU has been providing representation in social security and employment tribunals since 1972. We help people who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford lawyers. Our work is done by volunteers, mostly law students and legal professionals in the early stages of their career. All FRU's representatives are trained and supervised by our legal officers.
FRU provides representation in:
- Employment tribunals (and the Employment Appeal Tribunal);
- Benefit appeals in the first-tier tribunal (and Upper Tribunal);
- Criminal injury compensation cases in the first-tier tribunal (and Upper Tribunal).
We can only assist you if:
- You have a hearing date at a tribunal in London and the South East;
- Your case is referred to us by one of our referral agencies. We can only take cases directly from members of the public in short Employment Tribunal cases under our Self Referral Scheme.