Latest News

  • 26 March: Update on FRU response to the Coronavirus
    Thu, 03/26/2020 - 17:52

    We have updated our response to the virus. We will continue to represent all clients whose case we had already agreed to take on but we will extend our pause on signing out new cases for a further 2 weeks.

    This means that we can accept case referrals if the hearing has been listed after 23 April 2020, with the standard proviso that we can’t guarantee to represent every case that is referred to us. 

    We have extended the pause on new cases because the position in relation to how tribunal hearings will proceed is still unclear. After this further 2 week pause we expect to be in a better position to make a more substantive response to the situation.

    Further to the government guidance as of 23 March 2020 as to the closure of all non-essential premises (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF.pdf), most of our staff will be supporting our clients from home, and only visit the office on occasion for essential purposes.

    As such, whether you are a FRU volunteer, from a referral agency, an existing client, or interested in having your case referred to FRU, we would request that you please no longer send us any communications via post, and contact us instead on admin@thefru.org.uk or on 020 7611 9555. Please do not try to contact us by post, because we cannot guarantee that our post can be monitored on a regular basis.

    Please check back here for further updates.

  • Update on FRU's response to Coronavirus
    Tue, 03/17/2020 - 17:40

    Our position has changed since our last update. Our staff are mainly working at home and we are supporting our volunteers remotely as far as possible. Our staff will only be in the FRU office if required for a specific reason, for example to assist a volunteer with case preparation or to collect the post.

    • If you are a FRU volunteer with an existing case and need to speak to us please contact the legal officer who has been supporting you or contact us on admin@thefru.org.uk. Please let us know in advance if you believe that you need to come into the office.
    • If you are a volunteer who doesn't have a current case we aren't signing out new cases until at least 26 March. We will review the position before that date and write to all volunteers to update them. In the meantime please don't call at the office.
    • If you are from a referral agency and need to speak to us please use the webform or call on 020 7611 9555. We are currently only accepting referrals for cases listed after 10 April 2020.
    • If you are an existing client then keep in contact with your representative and you can contact us on admin@thefru.org.uk or on 020 7611 9555.
    • If you would like your case to be referred to FRU please read our 'Need Help' page and please note that we can't represent you if your hearing is being held before 10 April 2020.

    Please check back here for further updates.

  • FRU response to the coronavirus
    Wed, 03/11/2020 - 16:37

    Like all organisations we are planning our response to the spread of the coronavirus. We have developed a comprehensive plan that we will keep under review. Because of the lag between when we receive a case referral and the hearing date any action we take now will have an effect when the impact of the virus is expected to become more acute. We have decided to suspend taking on any new cases for 2 weeks. After then we will review the situation to see whether we need to continue that suspension. We have contacted our referral agencies to advise them that they should only refer a new case if the hearing date is after 10 April. Clients who have an employment case that they would like to self-refer should also note that we won’t be able to take on any cases with a hearing date before 10 April 2020.

    We will continue to represent any clients whose case we have already taken on and those clients should continue to work with the volunteer they are already in contact with. We will minimise the need for clients, volunteers and staff to come in to the office.

    FRU Chief Executive David Abbott said “We have taken these steps to protect our clients, volunteers and staff and will aim to restore our full service as soon as possible”.

  • Fundraise for FRU
    Mon, 02/24/2020 - 14:24

    Would you like to fundraise for FRU whilst ticking something off your bucket list.  We are looking for runners, walkers and cyclists to take part in our upcoming events:

    • Vitality 10K (25th May)
    • London Legal Walk (8th June)
    • Ride Surrey London 100 (16th August)
    • Walk the Thames (17th October)

    Please get in touch if you would like to take part in any of the above events.  For more information about the events, please visit our events page.

  • Christine Ohuruogu comes to call
    Tue, 02/04/2020 - 15:58

    We received a welcome surprise at the FRU office on 31 January. Who else but Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu MBE called in to the office. Christine’s presence created quite a stir, but once we’d calmed down a little we gave Christine some background information on how our service operates and how we benefit from the work of our volunteer advocates. We look forward to seeing more of Christine in future.

    FRU administrator Nneoma Atumonyogo welcomes Christine Ohuruogu MBE to FRU