Lancashire Libraries's List: Find: Consumer and Legal Help

This site provides a guide to sources of advice on citizen's rights issues published by the Citizen's Advice Bureau.

The Advice Services Alliance is the umbrella body for independent advice services in the UK. This site will help you find information about claiming benefits, appealing against a decision, managing your benefits and benefit fraud

ConsumerChoices.co.uk is an online self-help service that supports customers’ decision-making when selecting consumer services from broadband providers to insurance. It includes an advice section and comparison calculators to help you choose energy, savin

Lancashire County Council has launched a new scheme to help residents of Lancashire reduce their electricity bills by monitoring the electricity used in their household. By using an electronic energy monitor you can see how much power you are using for each appliances. Managing where you are using electricity in the home can help you save money.

The Safe Trader Scheme is funded by Lancashire County Council as part of the Help Direct Service. The aims of the scheme are to help Lancashire consumers find a reliable trader and support local businesses. Find a trader, leave feedback or make a complaint here. Traders can also join the scheme via this website. 

Lancashire County Council's Welfare Rights Service exists to help you, your family, and your friends, with claims for the whole range of social security and local authority benefits and tax credits. Whether you are unemployed, sick or disabled, a pensioner, a carer, on low wages, or finding it difficult to manage, our aim is to ensure that you get your full entitlement to benefit. Includes information on office locations within Lancashire. 

Lancashire's Trading Standards team aim to protect the interests of Lancashire County Council consumers and businesses. Helping with pre-shopping advice from buying a second-hand car to employing the services of a builder or booking a holiday. Check the site for latest news releases, safety warnings and product recalls.

Which? regular test and review thousands of consumer products and services, and produce advice and 'best buy' guides. Some basic product information is provided on the site, but to access the full reviews requires a paid subscription.
Note that some Lancashire Libraries do have a Which? subscription and can log in for you so you can ask more information. Ask at your local library.

Ofgem is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets. which protect consumers regulates the monopoly companies which run the gas and electricity networks.

This site provides details of the work of the commissioners office and the issues it deals with - data protection, freedom of information etc. It includes both consumer and business advice

The web site of the Office of Fair Trading provides information for businesses and consumers along with resources for people and organisations providing advice to the public. 

This web site provides a free service giving the prices for recent house sales for specific addresses throughout the UK. 

There are areas of this site for householders, contractors and specifiers. There is also the option to search for details of an NICEIC approved electrician in your area. 

Using this site you can register addresses where that do not wish to receive direct marketing mailings (junk mail). 

This site, managed by The National Archives on behalf of HM Government, is the new location where current and historical (from 1267 onwards) legislation passed by UK parliaments can be found, including amendments to acts still in force. All the content fr

The Legal Ombudsman has from October 2010 taken over the role of The Legal Complaints Service (LCS) to investigate complaints about solicitors. It was set up by the Office for Legal Complaints under the Legal Services Act 2007. Their website includes information for lawyers and consumers, guides, and stories to illustrate the types of complaints they might be able to help resolve. 

The Law Society is the regulatory and representative body for solicitors in England and Wales. Their web site provides information about the Society and can help you find a solicitor in your area. 

This web site provides general citizen's advice on legal issues. Some legal documents can also be obtained from the site for a fee. 

Created by MySociety.org, this site enables you to locate or report local problems such as graffiti, fly tipping, abandon cars, broken paving, manhole covers or street lights. Just enter your postcode to report or see problems in your area.

ECC United Kingdom provides free information on consumer rights in Europe and assists in cross-border disputes. Includes sections on Air Travel, Mobile Phone roaming and Shopping Online.