Timeline for Establishing a Law Centre in Newham

Newham Community Law Project
Date: November 2025

PHASE 1 (JULY-SEPTEMBER 2025)

Activities

  • Draft a strategic plan, outline budget and risk assessment
  • Identify the initial group of directors/trustees
  • Prepare a memorandum and articles
  • Set up a registered office address
  • Identify potential premises
  • Conduct social media activity
  • Engage with potential partner agencies and funders
  • Set up a domain name
  • Develop an initial logo

PHASE 2 (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2025)

Activities

  • Register with Companies House and the Charity Commission
  • Ensure appropriate bank accounts are set up, e.g. a client account
  • Develop a holding page for the website
  • Submit grant applications

PHASE 3 (JANUARY-MARCH 2026)

Activities

  • Continue to submit grant applications
  • Ensure appropriate insurance is in place (e.g. professional indemnity and public liability)
  • Draft the terms and conditions of employment
  • Identify a pension scheme for the auto-enrollment of staff
  • Identify a payroll provider
  • Ensure that trustees understand their roles once charitable status is confirmed
  • Carry out a skills audit and EDI audit of the current trustees
  • Recruit trustees to fill gaps - targeting people with lived experiences of issues the Project will tackle
  • Continue refining the budget to include a breakdown of set-up and ongoing costs
  • Contract with an ICT provider
  • Agree on premises
  • Conduct ongoing communications and engagement

PHASE 4 (APRIL-JUNE 2026)

Activities

  • Check for essential kit (laptop, phone, office, subscriptions, safety policy, etc.)
  • Recruit and induct staff
  • Draft a quality manual
  • Identify and implement a case management system
  • Conduct ongoing communications with stakeholders
  • Conduct ongoing funding applications
  • Apply to become a Law Centre
  • Register for VAT

PHASE 5 (JULY-SEPTEMBER 2026)

Activities

  • Launch service
  • Submit an application for an immigration legal aid contract
  • Apply for appropriate accreditations to support the legal aid contract
  • Consider providing pro bono services