Law Clinic

NEW HOME FOR LAW CLINIC

Generous gifts are helping the UEA Law Clinic change lives.

The history of Earlham Hall, the home of the UEA Law School, is long and littered with greatness. In 1786, this was the family home of the young Elizabeth Fry, who would go on to become one of Britain’s great social reformers and precede Winston Churchill as the face of the five pound note. Back then, Elizabeth would clothe local children and teach them to read and write. Today, Earlham Hall is just as valuable to vulnerable people in the local community.

THE LAW CLINIC REOPENS

As part of a multimillion-pound renovation project of Earlham Hall, the previously disused outbuildings have been beautifully transformed and extended to provide state-ofthe-art facilities for the award-winning Law Clinic. Here, UEA students are working with local charities to give legal help to those unable to afford it and fight for justice where it has been withheld. The Law Clinic’s new, purpose-built premises include a large, open-plan office where students meet and work, two private consultation rooms for meetings with clients, an airy reception space and 10 staff offices. Expert craftsmen transformed the space, funded by Difference Campaign donors – many of whom studied at the Law School and wanted to give something back following their fond memories of UEA. “It’s wonderful that our donors’ memories of their time at UEA and its impact on their lives has inspired them to give to the campaign,” says Professor Gareth Thomas, Director of the Law Clinic. “The best way I can show my thanks is to promise that we will use every inch of this new space, and all its potential, to provide unrivalled opportunities for our students, support the community in every way we can and continue to provide employers with talented graduates.”

SERVICES FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Polly Morgan (LAW00), Chief Operating Officer at the Law Clinic, explains the range of services now available to the local community: “Our biggest activity is with Norfolk Community Law Service. They are a free, independent legal advice clinic. Around 90 of our students per year volunteer in a range of the different services that they offer, some of which are now coming into this building. Those services include a welfare benefits team, where student advocates have helped reclaim more than £7 million for vulnerable people in the local area. Elsewhere, students fight wrongful convictions with the Justice Project, and the Street Law team aims to give schoolchildren the confidence to enter the legal profession.

OUR DONORS’ MEMORIES OF THEIR TIME AT UEA HAS INSPIRED THEM TO GIVE TO THE CAMPAIGN.

The Law Clinic restoration (on the right) sensitively combines old and new architectural styles.

VALUABLE EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS

“The times have passed when you could just get a good degree and then get a job,” continues Polly, “because it’s very competitive out there. Working for the Law Clinic means our students can go to an employer and say, ‘I’ve managed a case file, I’ve handled court papers and represented someone at a tribunal.’ It’s a fantastic experience that gives them an edge.” Charlotte Marsh (LAW17) and Andronikos Stylianou (LAW16) are student volunteers in the Street Law team: “Neither of my parents went to university,” says Charlotte, “and a lot of the parents of the kids we speak to didn’t either. Some of them aren’t even considering university, or don’t know how to go about it. That’s why it’s important we go out to schools and show them it is attainable.” The Law Clinic is also improving employment prospects after graduation, as Andronikos explains: “I am honing my confidence and leadership skills while giving back to the community. The skills I’ve developed through leading different teams and delivering activities will certainly benefit me in my future work.” With further Law Clinic services soon to move to the new setting at Earlham Hall, the impact of The Difference Campaign and its donors on both law students and the local community will last for many years to come.

Above: Polly Morgan, Charlotte Marsh and Professor Gareth Thomas in the Law Clinic space. Below: Andronikos Stylianou, student volunteer in the Law Clinic.