Last updated 1 May 2026
Case Buddy vs Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is the UK's most trusted free advice service, staffed by trained human advisers. Case Buddy is an AI-powered tool that explains UK law instantly, 24/7. The right choice depends on your situation and how quickly you need help.
Side-by-side comparison
| Case Buddy | Citizens Advice Bureau | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24/7, instant — no waiting list | Office hours only; local offices often have multi-week waits for appointments |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Specialist expertise | AI trained on UK housing, employment, and debt recovery law | Human advisers with broad general knowledge; some offices have legal specialists |
| Speed | Immediate answers in seconds | Same-day phone advice on some issues; appointments often take weeks to arrange |
| Covers all 3 areas | Yes — housing, employment, and debt recovery | Yes — plus benefits, immigration, consumer rights, and much more |
| Generates legal letters | Yes — formal letters for housing, employment, and debt situations | No — advisers guide you but typically do not draft letters for you |
Which is right for you?
Use Case Buddy when…
- You need to know your legal position right now — at 11 pm or on a Sunday
- You want a clear, jargon-free explanation of what the law says in your situation
- You need a formal letter drafted quickly — to a landlord, employer, or debtor
- You have already spoken to Citizens Advice and want a second, instant view
- Your issue is specifically housing, employment, or debt recovery
Use Citizens Advice Bureau when…
- You need advice on a topic outside housing, employment, or debt — such as benefits, immigration, or consumer rights
- You want to speak to a trained human adviser who can ask follow-up questions
- Your situation is complex and you are not confident navigating it alone
- You need help filling in forms or appearing at a tribunal
- English is not your first language and you need face-to-face support
Our verdict
Citizens Advice has a far broader remit and the irreplaceable value of human judgement. Case Buddy is faster and available any time, but cannot replace an adviser for complex or multi-issue cases. The two services complement each other well — use Case Buddy to understand your position quickly, then visit Citizens Advice if you need hands-on support.
Try Case Buddy free
Describe your situation in plain English. Case Buddy explains the relevant UK law — free, instantly, no sign-up required.
Try Case Buddy free →