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º£½ÇÖ±²¥ law students provide free legal advice to the community

Law students at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ are putting their skills into practice, utilising a special Law Clinic to offer important legal advice and services to local people.

The Law Clinic gives students the opportunity to work under professional supervision, in partnership with local law organisations, to offer guidance and advice on real life cases. It provides a pro bono service to the community, while also offering students first-hand experience on cases involving employment, money claims, housing, and family law.

This week is National Pro Bono Week (6 to 10 November) which aims celebrate volunteering lawyers in the UK who provide free legal advice or representation to those unable to afford it.

First-class law graduate Chloe Warren and current law student Irina Kashirina, have both taken advantage of the Law Clinic to boost their experience and employability credentials.

Chloe said: ‘º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Law Clinic has provided me with some amazing opportunities. I was able to work alongside Park Square Barristers, where I sat in on a murder trial for a week, which was a fascinating experience.

‘When first working in the Law Clinic initially as a student, it was quite challenging. I was anxious to be face to face with a client and work on real-life cases, but with the support of my lecturers my confidence grew massively, and it has really benefited me.

‘I am now on the Bar Practise Course at The University of Law and able to expand my knowledge of legal research and managing clients’ expectations. I have been able to gain invaluable and transferrable skills in my career and the Law Clinic at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ was a big part of that.’

Irina, who is in the final year of her Law degree at º£½ÇÖ±²¥, added: ‘The experience at the º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Law Clinic is invaluable to anyone’s future career as a lawyer. I have gained essential practical skills and the hands-on experience of working on real cases has been really beneficial - I have encountered various legal issues and have had to think critically to find solutions.

‘Overall, the experience I have gained at the º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Law Clinic is not just about legal knowledge. It is about practical skills, professionalism, and gaining the confidence to tackle the complexities of the legal profession.’

Throughout the 2022/3 academic year, the students of the Law Clinic have volunteered for approximately 160 hours with the Citizens Advice Bureau in both the Stockton and Darlington branches.

Emma Harbron, a Lecturer in Legal Practice in º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, said: ‘The Law clinic is a great resource for students as it gives them the opportunity to gain relevant experience and provides a valuable resource for local people.

‘We get daily enquirers and students will manage the cases themselves, under supervision, to give their best legal advice. We recognise the importance of the students’ involvement with working on real cases while prioritising the need for free legal services in the community.’