CLARO
Civil Legal Advice and Referral Office

CLARO NYC

Click here to read this page in Spanish

The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO) provides limited legal advice to low-income New Yorkers being sued by debt collectors. CLARO is organized through the New York State Courts Access to Justice Program. (Read about the Access to Justice Program at http://www.nycourts.gov/ip/nya2j/.) Rather than representing these individuals in court, the CLARO Program’s volunteer lawyers and consumer law experts meet with visitors and advise them on how best to representthemselves in their court cases.

The CLARO Programs help visitors by explaining the court process, reviewing their case files, preparing court papers and giving advice on other consumer debt issues.

CLARO Programs operate through the auspices of the New York City Civil Court, serving consumers in all 5 boroughs. Through partnerships with the Court, bar associations, academic institutions, and legal services organizations, CLARO tries to help unrepresented litigants better access justice.

 

Why come to CLARO?

  • If you're being sued by a creditor in Civil Court we might be able to help. The legal process can be confusing, and it could make a huge difference to your case to get legal advice before you commit to important decisions.
  • If you have encountered issues with consumer debt (credit cards, cell phones, store cards, student loans, utilities, car loans, medical debt, etc.) that might lead to a court case, you can come and get information and advice.

If it sounds like CLARO could help you, please click on the link to your borough in the tabs above for more information on where to come and what to bring.

 

 


 

Providing FREE legal advice to unrepresented debtors.

Staffed by volunteer lawyers and supervised college and law students.