Robert Rinder joins Shelter as charity’s first Legal Services Ambassador

Robert Rinder, the criminal barrister, columnist, presenter and star of ITV’s 'Judge Rinder', is joining Shelter as the charity’s first Legal Services Ambassador.

In his role as Legal Services Ambassador, Robert will raise awareness of Shelter’s legal services and their work to support people with expert advice and legal representation. The charity’s team of 46 solicitors, 25 legal advisers, and 30 legal support workers play a pivotal role in challenging a range of housing injustices, from illegal evictions to severe disrepair. The Legal team also help thousands of people every year to avoid homelessness, improve housing conditions, and support those who are already homeless to secure accommodation.

Some recent successes of Shelter’s legal work, which have inspired Robert to get involved with the charity, include its two recent ‘No DSS’ discrimination court cases. Shelter’s legal team secured rulings that proved that discriminating against people who receive housing benefit is unlawful and in breach of the Equality Act, because it disproportionally impacts upon women and disabled people.

Robert Rinder will also support the charity’s campaigns to end homelessness and bad housing for good. After spending 12 years as a public Legal Aid lawyer, he knows first hand how legal advice and support can change lives.

Robert said: “I spent over a decade working as a public Legal Aid lawyer. This taught me that access to legal advice can be life changing. It can be the difference between homelessness or a roof over your head. The difference between staying safe or facing the streets.

“But too many people still don’t have access to advice or the justice they deserve. This makes them extraordinarily vulnerable to bad housing and homelessness.

"However, we can use the law and legal expertise to stop people from becoming homeless. As Shelter’s first Legal Services Ambassador, I’m thrilled to support Shelter’s work to defend everyone’s right to a safe home.”

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: “We are delighted to welcome Robert Rinder into the Shelter family. He shares our vision that everybody who needs it should have access to legal support and justice – especially when it could save their home and save them from the horrors of homelessness.

“This year, the collision of a public health crisis with our ongoing housing emergency means even more people will need legal help with their housing for the first time. So we are looking forward to working with Robert to champion the right to a safe home for everyone.”

ENDS