Helpline
Our helplines are a first point of contact to speak about the issues affecting you and getting initial information and advice.
Our experienced advocacy workers will be handling your initial call, assessing your needs and giving you initial information and support. And if you require initial legal information, one of our solicitors will call you back to discuss your questions.
08088 010 789
Our daytime helpline is currently available at the following times:
- Mondays between 10AM and 12:30PM
- Wednesdays between 10AM and 1PM
It is free to call our helpline from most mobile phones and landlines.
At times, our helpline can be extremely busy. Please keep trying to get through. Before calling, we also recommend you to check our resources as you might find information there that can assist you.
Upcoming availability
Our helplines will run at the advertised times unless a closure is indicated below. Please note the following upcoming closures due to public holidays and staff capacity.
Daytime helplines will be unavailable on:
- Monday 29th April
- Monday 6th May
Who is the helpline for?
Our helpline is open to women aged 16 years and over living in Scotland who have been affected by violence or abuse. We can also give advice to support workers and other services working with women affected by gender-based violence.
When you call, we can offer initial legal information about your circumstances. If you need more specific legal advice, we recommend that you make an appointment for one of our legal surgeries.
What if I have an urgent question?
Because of the high demand on our services, unfortunately our helpline is not the best place to get urgent legal advice. Where possible, we will do our best to provide legal advice for urgent situations, but it may not always be possible.
If you have an upcoming deadline or can’t wait to get legal advice, we strongly encourage you to find a solicitor who can advise you.
You can find solicitors using our Find a Solicitor page or by visiting the Law Society of Scotland website. If you’ve never worked with a solicitor before or you are unsure of how to approach one, our Getting Legal Representation guide can be very helpful.
Evening Helpline: Pro-Bono Solicitor Network
Looking for legal advice?
Our pro-bono helpline, operated by a network of pro-bono solicitors, is available every Tuesday 6PM - 8PM for you to speak directly to a solicitor for initial advice and information about your situation.
If your circumstances are more complex, the solicitor may make a legal surgery appointment for you.
The Pro-Bono Legal Helpline is available on our usual Helpline number:
