The LSBU Law Department has a long-standing commitment to enhancing employability for our graduates, demonstrated for example by our credit-bearing second year LLB module Working in the Law which develops students' practical skills, their understanding of the principles of client care and coordinates a large number of legal work placement opportunities.
In order to further increase our students' opportunities for real-world practical legal experience, in September 2011 we opened the LSBU Legal Advice Clinic based in dedicated and refurbished premises at Caxton House on Borough Road. The Clinic is a free community based face-to-face advice service staffed by trained Student Clinic Volunteers working under the supervision of practising solicitors.
We run a public drop-in service twice weekly during term-time where Student Clinic Volunteers interview and assess clients, and weekly evening sessions where students assist solicitors and barristers advising clients in particular areas of law such as housing and family.
The Clinic provides a valuable community service and an excellent training ground for Student Clinic Volunteers who develop transferable skills to enhance their employability and gain experience of how the law actually impacts on the lives of real people. Often clients do not arrive at the Clinic with a clearly identified legal problem and Student Clinic Volunteers learn to assist clients in translating their concerns into legally recognisable categories and provide concise explanations of legal concepts and processes which can be entirely new to people.
Student Clinic Volunteers commit to working a minimum number of 3-hour sessions over the course of an academic year. As well as initial and on-the-job training and supervision, Student Clinic Volunteers can register for any the comprehensive LawWorks training sessions. Upon completion of their placement, Student Clinic Volunteers receive a Certificate of Clinical Legal Education Placement and may request either of the Clinic Directors to provide a reference for job and training contract applications to emphasise the client care, interview skills and practical legal knowledge students have acquired.
The Clinic Directors, Alan Russell and Dr John Russell, have 30 years experience between them of working as solicitors and advocates in private practice, law centres and advice services. They are also module coordinators for the Civil and Criminal Litigation options (running from September 2011) which will enable successful LLB graduates to become members of the Institute of Legal Executives.
The LSBU Legal Advice Clinic is a member of LawWorks and Southwark Legal Advice Network.
In June 2011, the Clinic was awarded a Higher Education Authority Teaching Development Grant of £6,480 to develop teaching and learning resources for general use in all university law schools for an alternative model of clinical legal education based around public drop-in and face-to-face advice work. The Clinic team is currently drafting an operational manual which will be distributed nationwide by LawWorks later this year and enable other universities to copy the innovative London South Bank University model.
In April 2012, the Clinic team won one of the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Enterprising Staff Awards. The £5,000 prize was awarded to the Legal Advice Clinic team for their demonstration of enterprise in enhancing the student experience and employability, providing a significant benefit for the local community, and demonstrating a wider significance to other higher education institutions nationwide.
The LSBU Legal Advice Clinic is open Wednesdays (11am - 2pm) and Thursdays (2pm-5pm) during term time (in 2012: 31 Jan - 10 May, and 26 Sept - 13 Dec).
If you are a client seeking legal advice, please come to one of our drop-ins (see opening times above). You are welcome to leave a message for the Clinic team on 0207 815 5450 or legaladvice@lsbu.ac.uk. Please note that the Clinic is a drop-in/referral service only and we do not give legal advice by phone or email. The Legal Advice Clinic is located within Caxton House, directions to Caxton House can be found on our Campus map.
If you are a current or potential student, or a representative of a local legal firm and would like more information about the LSBU Legal Advice Clinic, please contact Alan Russell.
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