East London firm Edwards Duthie has won the contract to run the capital’s first Community Legal Advice Centre (CLAC).

It will operate the service in Barking and Dagenham in conjunction with the local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Over the next three years the CLAC will receive £2.2m, funded jointly by the Legal Services Commission and the local authority, to provide advice and representation in family, employment and social welfare law.

The CLAC will open on 4 May and initially operate from the existing CAB premises in Barking. The service will also run advice clinics in various parts of the borough for those who find it difficult to get into the town.

Legal aid minister Lord Bach said: ‘This new CLAC has the potential to help over 7,000 people with their legal problems. People across the borough will be able to walk in and tap into a full range of legal services, specialist advice and representation in the highest courts.

‘It is my absolute priority to ensure that as many people as possible can receive the legal help and advice they need, and the one-stop shop legal advice centre formulae is proving beneficial in helping thousands of people across England.'

Shaun Murphy, senior partner at Edwards Duthie, said the development was ‘truly exciting’ for the firm ‘with the promise of great things for the future’.

‘Necessarily, such opportunities carry enormous responsibilities and we will need to be vigilant to ensure that we are equal to these,’ he said. 'I, however, have every confidence in the firm moving this forward. This achievement will also enormously enhance the reputation of the firm, as lawyers and as employers.'

John Sirodcar, a senior director at the LSC, said: ‘I’m delighted that the contract has been awarded to a local firm and Barking and Dagenham CAB. Both are experienced in delivering public services and both have made a commitment to providing high-quality services through highly trained staff and volunteers.’