Domestic Abuse Family Law Advisor - Volunteer in Newbury

Use your family law expertise to directly support survivors of domestic abuse. Provide free, remote legal advice in 45–60 minute sessions on a regular rota, helping survivors understand their rights, options, and next steps with confidence and clarity.

What difference will you make? Last year, FLAG DV received over 1,000 requests for legal advice, and our team of volunteer legal advisors enabled us to deliver empowering, trauma‑informed, and impactful support to more survivors than ever before. Our legal advice service is open to anyone aged 18 or over, living in our service area, with a family law need related to domestic abuse. We do not carry out means testing and there are no restrictions based on whether a survivor is currently in an abusive relationship, navigating legal matters post‑separation, or experiencing ongoing post‑separation abuse. Our service users include litigants in person, those eligible for legal aid, or individuals who already have a legal advisor for part of their case, but may have additional questions they cannot afford to ask, or be dealing with more than one family law matter. FLAG DV is here for all survivors, and so are our volunteers. This year we have already seen a 10% increase in demand for our service. To meet the growing need, we must expand our legal advisor volunteer team.

What are we looking for? We are seeking fully qualified family law solicitors and lawyers who have been practising for at least 2 years post‑qualification and who hold a current practising certificate. Volunteers will provide remote, pro‑bono legal advice to FLAG DV’s service users. We are particularly interested in individuals who can commit to a regular volunteering schedule, typically 45 minutes to 1 hour once per week at a set, pre‑agreed day and time; variations in frequency can be agreed. This reliability is essential as legal advice appointments are booked in advance, allowing service users to prepare and ensure they can speak safely and privately. Volunteers should have a good understanding of domestic abuse and demonstrate at least 3 years’ experience communicating clearly, confidently and empathetically with clients. The ability to engage in a trauma‑informed manner is important; training will be provided to support volunteers in delivering a trauma‑informed service. We are looking for professionals who are comfortable providing impartial legal advice only, with no expectation of representation beyond the FLAG DV appointment. FLAG DV does not arrange or facilitate legal representation. Service users are free to decide whether to act on the advice provided and, if so, who they may wish to instruct for any further legal support.

What will you be doing? We are seeking family law professionals with a current practising certificate and at least two years PQE to provide vital family law advice to survivors of domestic abuse. As a Legal Advisor Volunteer with FLAG DV, you will play a key role in helping survivors understand their rights and options, enabling them to make safe and informed decisions. FLAG DV is a specialist domestic abuse charity supporting survivors across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire. For over 10 years, our survivor‑led, trauma‑informed approach has helped reduce fear, increase understanding, and empower survivors to feel safer, more confident, and better equipped to access justice.

Volunteers provide one‑off legal advice sessions of up to 60 minutes, delivered remotely via phone or video call. Your key responsibilities include:

• Speak to a pre‑booked survivor to explain their current legal situation, outline their rights, and discuss the options available. Sessions are informational and advisory only; FLAG DV does not arrange for our volunteers to represent clients or act as ongoing legal counsel.
• Document advice clearly and concisely in our specialist Case Management System, which you will access securely and privately. Notes should be simple, professional, and easy for the FLAG DV team and service users to follow.
• Complete a conflict‑of‑interest check before each appointment to ensure impartiality.
• Raise any safeguarding concerns you identify during sessions. FLAG DV maintains a safe and professional environment for both volunteers and service users, and your vigilance helps us uphold this standard.
• Deliver advice in a clear, compassionate, and trauma‑informed manner, respecting the survivor’s experiences and needs throughout the session.
• Volunteer on a rota basis, contributing 45–60 minutes per session during your working day. Ideally, this will be on a weekly basis; however, flexibility can be discussed.

By sharing your expertise, you will directly support survivors to navigate legal situations, reduce fear, and gain confidence in taking the next steps. Your contribution ensures FLAG DV can continue providing free, confidential, expert family law advice, helping survivors regain control over their lives and make decisions that prioritise their safety and well‑being. This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference, applying your legal skills to create real, positive impact in the lives of survivors of domestic abuse.