Where to get free, official help in the UK — the conciliation service, ombudsmen, regulators and advice charities for work, consumer, housing, fraud, data-privacy and health problems. All are free; most resolve disputes without a lawyer or a court.
In immediate danger? Dial 999.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Free early conciliation for employment disputes — the mandatory step before an employment tribunal, and where most disputes settle. Tribunal fees were abolished in 2017.
Legal basis Employment Rights Act 1996
How to reach Start free early conciliation online or on 0300 123 1100 before an employment tribunal — it is a required step and pauses the tribunal time limit while it runs.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Health and Safety Executive
Report unsafe workplaces and health-and-safety breaches; guidance on your rights at work.
Legal basis Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
How to reach Report an unsafe workplace or a health-and-safety breach to the HSE online; you can report anonymously.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Free emergency housing advice — eviction, homelessness, disrepair and deposits. Separate services cover Scotland and Wales.
Legal basis Housing Act 1988 and the Renters' Rights Act 2025
How to reach Get free advice on 0808 800 4444 or via the Shelter website on eviction, homelessness, disrepair and deposits; Scotland and Wales have their own Shelter services.
Who it's for: Renters and people facing homelessness.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Free redress against letting and estate agents — withheld deposits, unfair fees, and poor service.
Legal basis Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007
How to reach Complain to the agent first; if unresolved after 8 weeks, bring it free to the Property Ombudsman with your correspondence.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Free dispute resolution for complaints about banks, insurers and credit — including APP (authorised push payment) scam reimbursement. Binding on the firm if you accept the decision.
Legal basis Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
How to reach Complain to the firm first and wait up to 8 weeks (or a final response), then bring it free to the Financial Ombudsman with your reference number.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
National fraud and cybercrime reporting centre for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.)
Legal basis Fraud Act 2006 and the Computer Misuse Act 1990
How to reach Report fraud and cybercrime at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales, NI); in Scotland call Police Scotland on 101. Contact your bank first to try to stop the payment.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Information Commissioner's Office
Complaints about misuse of your personal data, data breaches, and refused subject-access requests under UK GDPR.
Legal basis UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
How to reach Raise it with the organisation first; if unresolved, complain to the ICO online or on its helpline about a breach or a refused subject-access request.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Official guide to your rights on arrest and at the police station — including free legal advice in custody. Complaints about police go to the IOPC.
Legal basis Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
How to reach You have the right to free legal advice in custody — ask for the duty solicitor. Complaints about police conduct go to the IOPC.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Escalate unresolved NHS complaints (England) after the local complaints process. Scotland, Wales and NI have their own ombudsman.
Legal basis Health Service Commissioners Act 1993
How to reach Exhaust the NHS local complaints process first, then escalate free to the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (England). Other nations have their own ombudsman.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Free, independent advice on employment, housing, consumer, debt and benefits, and runs the Consumer Service that feeds Trading Standards.
How to reach Use the Citizens Advice website, a local bureau, or 0800 144 8848 for free advice on almost any problem; it runs the Consumer Service that feeds Trading Standards.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
Discrimination in work, services and housing under the Equality Act — race, sex, disability, age, religion and more.
Legal basis Equality Act 2010
How to reach For discrimination, get advice from the Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS) helpline, which the EHRC oversees; it can guide a claim to a tribunal or court.
Who it's for: Anyone facing discrimination, including migrants.
Verified 2026-07-05 · official source
This is legal information, not legal advice — a directory of official, free channels, not an endorsement. Hotlines and links can change; each entry shows the date we last verified it. If a number or page no longer works, tell us on the contact form.
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