Law students offer free legal advice to the public through new community clinic

Share

Students at Leeds Trinity University will put their learning into practice by offering free independent confidential legal information to members of the public in November, under full supervision. 

Law students sat with lecturer outside university.

The University is set to launch its first Community Law Clinic which will provide legal information and guidance to members of the local community. As well as offering people the chance to engage with the clinic on a range of areas of law, the clinic will provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable practical legal experience which complements their studies.

Supervised by a qualified academic team, the students, who are in the final year of their undergraduate degree course, will conduct face-to-face interviews before providing a written response containing relevant information, guidance and signposting on legal issues.

The areas of law covered are property/landlord and tenant/housing; employment law; family/divorce law; criminal law; contract/consumer law; access to education and civil disputes

The first clinic will take place at the University on Wednesday 23 November, with each appointment lasting no more than 40 minutes. Appointments are limited and bookable on a first come, first served basis. Further sessions are being planned for 2023.

Frank Dignan, Senior Lecturer in Law at Leeds Trinity’s School of Law said:

“The Community Law Clinic offers our students an opportunity to apply the legal principles which they have learned in their studies to practical situations and to gain experience in providing a service to real clients with live cases.  Leeds Trinity University has strong links to its local community and this public provision demonstrates that commitment by offering this free, independent and confidential service. This is the first of what will be a regular series of clinics.”

Mawgain Tugwell, 3rd Year Law Student participating in the Community Law Clinic said:

“This opportunity will give students the chance to gain practical experience by providing a service to people in the local community. It will also help to prepare us for the workplace which is important for prospective employers. The service provided is needed now more than ever because of cutbacks to legal aid and the cost of living crisis. I am excited to be involved and hope to be able to make a difference.”

For more information and details of how to book an appointment, please email legaladvice@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

 

Leeds Trinity University's Corporate Communications team is the first point of contact for local, national and international media.

Looking to source a comment or would like to arrange an interview with one of our academic experts? Contact the team on +44 (0) 113 283 7100 or email the Communications team.

More about the Press Office
r