Northumbria University’s award-winning Student Law Office has hosted free legal advice to members of the public during an event to mark National pro bono Week.
Students and staff from Northumbria Law School hosted a drop-in event at Newcastle City Library, offering free advice on a range of legal issues, including employment, housing, family, consumer disputes, business and intellectual property.
National Pro Bono Week, which runs throughout this week (3rd to 7th November) is in its 13th year and aims to celebrate the breadth and impact of pro bono work undertaken by the legal profession.
Carol Boothby, Director of the Student Law Office at Northumbria University, said: “Pro bono work is an important element of the profession and the Student Law Office was keen to mark the national week to highlight just how vital this work is. We were thrilled to host this event and we hope the people who came along benefitted from the advice.
“For the students too, working on real cases to assist people in genuine need can be incredibly rewarding as well as career enhancing.”
The Student Law Office is a clinical legal education scheme which sees law students participate in a legal advice and representation scheme on behalf of clients as part of their academic and professional development. It has secured more than £1 million of compensation on behalf of clients since 2008.
The service offers free, independent and confidential advice and is run as a full legal service just like any other firm of solicitors. Academic staff, who are also practising lawyers, closely supervise the students’ work and have overall responsibility for ensuring clients receive a professional service.
Carol added: “Pro bono work is a lifeline to many people who may otherwise have no access to legal help. At the Student Law Office, the team works incredibly hard to ensure those who are in need of legal advice are able to access it.”
