The Essex Law Clinic's 10th Anniversary

Essex Law Clinic

Suffolk & North Essex Law Society

In 2019, Essex Law Clinic celebrated its 10th birthday. Like the law clinics which most universities now run, it provides a free legal service to clients whilst equipping students with vital skills and experience to take forward into the work market. More recently, it has, not surprisingly, expanded considerably in areas of law in which clients may otherwise struggle to access advice. This is particularly so in areas most impacted by the cuts to legal aid such as in family, housing and immigration law which are the key areas of work of the clinic.

From its inception the Clinic has benefitted hugely from drawing on the assistance of members of the legal community. We are, however, very keen to further our links with the local profession. Our current team of pro-bono lawyers assist by enabling students to shadow them while they interview clients or by supervising students who conduct the interviews themselves. Students have also gained immensely from local lawyers giving talks about their experiences in the law and from the networking opportunities to students which can arise through contact with such lawyers. This has made a huge difference to many in launching their careers in the local area.

Students volunteer for the Clinic after a rigorous application process. They receive training on skills such as client interviewing, professional communication, dealing with vulnerable clients and ethics. Students initially work on non-client facing projects involving tasks such as legal research and publiclegal education before been trusted with casework. When undertaking case work, students generally interview clients on in teams of two under the supervision of either a clinic staff supervisor or a pro-bono lawyer. Students then provide a practical letter of advice, again under supervision, with a view to enabling the client to take

the steps necessary to help themselves. Student volunteers are also able to observe supervisors and, as mentioned above, pro-bono lawyers provide advice to clients. In order to serve clients with urgent matters either staff, pro bono lawyers or student volunteers with sufficient experience and knowledge,may provide advice on the spot.

The Law Clinic works closely with local charities and not-for-profit organisations to reach those clients unable to otherwise access help. Since covid, most clients have been seen via zoom. This will continue where clients prefer this but in addition to resuming face to face appointments on campus, students are also taken out into the community to provide a service. For example, work is undertaken in Jaywick, Beacon House in Colchester and via schools in the Tendring area.

The Clinic is constantly evolving. It works hard to create for volunteers a supported community to enable them to learn and grow as future lawyers. Initiatives such as Clinic Connect, a monthly magazine about the clinic and the law has developed to encourage this. Likewise, a new Essex Law Clinic Graduates Group is being developed which we hope will be something the many ex-students now working locally, will engage in.

In addition to the Law Clinic there has been a long-standing relationship between the Essex Law School and the local legal community. For many years, the university and SNELS have jointly held the Annual Law Lecture welcoming prominent members of the legal profession to speak to an audience of students, academics and local lawyers. Like so many events, after a covid gap, it was fantastic in June 2022 to welcome the President of The Law Society, Stephanie Boyce, to speak at the resumption of the Annual Law Lecture about her career path to becoming the first female woman of colour as President of The Law Society. The talk was inspirational.

If you are interested in pro-bono opportunities at the Law Clinic or would like more information about this or, as alumni, the Essex Law Clinic Graduates programme, please contact:

Liz Fisher-Frank, Deputy Director, Essex Law Clinic via: elizabeth.fisherfrank@essex.ac.uk

28 www.snels.org.uk