Norfolk Community Law Service, the charity which helps individuals and groups who cannot afford access to justice and representation, officially opens its new offices in Norwich on Thursday. In this 40th anniversary year, CEO David Powles gives Folk Features a guided tour
For the past 40 years, the Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) has helped thousands of people across the county with a wide range of free legal advice. Since 1985, after a small group of people sat around a kitchen table and saw a gap in the justice system that needed filling, the purpose has been to identify unmet legal need in Norfolk and to work with partner agencies to provide free service to meet that need. Nowadays the NCLS aims to provide access to justice and equality and particularly target services at disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, such as offenders, migrant workers and people with mental health issues.
Until recently, NCLS was based in Prince of Wales Road, but this Thursday, new offices in the former home of Liftshare and Mobilityways on Duke Street will officially open its doors (with Founder and Chairman of both, Ali Clabourn, as the new landlord).
The famous slide might be gone, but the new offices now offer seven interview rooms for clients and plenty of desk space for staff and volunteers.
CEO David Powles has been in the role for the past two years. Sitting in one of the interview rooms, he reflects: “I guess the biggest impact and change in that time is the offices. When I started at NCLS I was keen not to be one of those people who went in and changed everything. But the one thing I felt was that the offices were not ideal – we’ve grown quite a lot in terms of staff size – we have now 38 members.”
Plus, NCLS has more than 100 volunteers, which include law students and solicitors. He adds: “We wanted to have a space that is aspirational for volunteers, and we also want a more welcoming space for clients – a space where they can have face-to-face appointments. A lot of people want that, and a lot of the issues we deal with are quite complicated with loads of paperwork.
“It’s been an 18-month project – we moved in in May and we absolutely love it so far. It’s great to have a more welcoming space and see more members of staff more often. We’re still a hybrid-working organisation but it has brought more flexibility. The next bit is making clients aware that there is this opportunity.”
According to the 2023/24 Impact Report, more than 4,000 people were provided with free access to justice through representation, advocacy and support by NCLS. This was an increase in 38% since 2021/22.
“We fill gaps in access to justice,” says David, although he adds: “I always say that if we doubled the team size tomorrow, which I would love to, we would still have waiting lists.”
Opening an office elsewhere in Norfolk would be ‘a dream’. “I would love to look at a place like King’s Lynn where I know there is a great demand for what we do. That’s a big undertaking but I know it would be well supported.”
He is looking forward to Thursday’s grand opening of the offices in Norwich. “I look at these types of events as an opportunity to shout about what we do, and you never know who might be in the room – they might be able to open a door, whether that’s through partnership, funding or volunteering. We are always looking for those opportunities and we are so indebted to our supporters.
“I think we’ve always been seen as a quirky punch-above-your-weight charity that happens to do law. Well, we’re a law firm that happens to be a charity and I think having offices that recognises that is important in terms of a) making a statement about the quality of advice that we offer and b) the partnerships we want to build in the law sector.”
This year is a big year for NCLS. “It’s our 40th anniversary so we are really seeking to use that opportunity to ‘celebrate’ our existence. That feels like the wrong word because we only exist because something, somewhere has failed, really, but I think it’s important to mark the fact that without NCLS lots of people would’ve gone without help.”
In October there will be an anniversary event at Sprowston Manor, hosted by comedian Ben Langley. David adds: “With 1985 being the year we were founded we’ve got an 80s DJ, plus a magician, an auction, a fundraising raffle, and a three-course meal.”
Forty years on, and NCLS has to deal with a ‘triple whammy’ of increased demand for its services, lower funding overall and a worsening in the complexity of clients’ issues.
“I hate to say it but there will never not be a need for NCLS,” says David, “there simply won’t. We are in a space that no one else is in. It’s kind of imperative that we exist really because without NCLS there will be masses of people in court on their own having to represent themselves. It would leave a massive gap if an organisation like NCLS didn’t exist.”
Norfolk Community Law Service, 4 Duke Street Norwich NR3 3AJ. The NCLS New Office Opening Party Tickets takes place on Thursday July 10, 2025, from 5-7pm. Register your attendance on Eventbrite. The NCLS 40th Anniversary Celebration Event takes place at Sprowston Manor, Norwich, on October 4, 2025. To book click here.
Featured image of CEO David Powles, by Folk Features
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