INTERNATIONAL aid charity Oxfam is helping to set up a law service in Glasgow to help some of the poorest people in the South Side.

INTERNATIONAL aid charity Oxfam is helping to set up a law service in Glasgow to help some of the poorest people in the South Side.

Govan Law Centre is behind the creation of an office in Govanhill aimed at helping people avoid exploitation.

It will offer advice in all areas of the law, including protection from rogue landlords and dodgy employers.

The office is taking shape in Butterbiggins Road and Jim Boyle, a programme co-ordinator with the charity, explained its involvement.

He said: "Oxfam has always supported people's right to a decent living.

"Often people aren't aware of what they are entitled to in areas such as employment and housing. Having a law centre at the heart of the community will help address those rights and hopefully improve the quality of life for people in Govanhill.

The new centre is due to open in October after staff refurbish the office provided by Govanhill Housing Association.

Govanhill Community Development Trust is paying for a local person to work as clerical officer and input from Govan Law Centre brings total funding to £500,000 over three years.

Organisers believe the service will be the first new major community law centre in Scotland for a decade, as well as being the first in the UK to be backed by Oxfam and a major trade union, in this case Unison.

Mike Dailly, principal solicitor with the Govan centre, said lawyers in the new office would work closely with the council, police and procurator fiscal.

He said: "We aim to tackle agency gangmasters and slum landlords.

"We want to root out discrimination and exploitation and improve the health and wellbeing of the communities of Govanhill and East Pollokshields."

He said the organisation had worked hard over the past nine months to make sure the service would be available.

He vowed: "We intend to provide not only a campaigning voice for vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens in Govanhill but a means to access practical solutions."

Mr Boyle added: "We have been working with various groups in Govanhill for a couple of years and the law centre will be a welcome addition to the work in the area by the local health partnership and others."