Law students at the University of Bristol are launching a new advice service for the public, answering questions on everything from employment and housing to privacy and voting.
Over 80 students are involved in the new initiative, which has won support from the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Personal Support Unit (PSU) at Bristol County Court.
They will be on hand every Monday at special sessions organised through the Creative Youth Network at The Station, Silver Street, between 2.30pm and 5pm providing advice and help to young people. The first one takes place this Monday, 20 October.
And there will also be appointments available every Wednesday, between 12noon and 2pm, in the Wills Memorial Building, beginning on 19 November.
These can be booked directly or by referral from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Personal Support Unit (PSU) at Bristol County Court.
John Peake, Director of the University of Bristol Law Clinic, said: “We're providing a service which we know is desperately needed in Bristol, where the public can access basic advice for free if legal aid isn't available.
“It’s a great opportunity for our law students to learn and gain experience, working with existing organisations to help expand the scope of legal advice available in Bristol.”
Students involved with the Law Clinic will be providing advice and help to people with a whole range of legal problems. Where possible, a case will be followed through and the client provided with ongoing support rather than a one-off piece of advice.
Rachel Buchanan, from Creative Youth Network, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Bristol Law Clinic at The Station. We’re really excited about the idea of young people from Bristol University helping and supporting other young people with their skills and knowledge whilst gaining valuable work experience at the same time – it’s a win-win situation.
“Many of our service users need and will benefit from free legal advice, not just for individual cases, but also when it comes to knowing their rights and responsibilities every time they encounter the law in their everyday life – employment, benefits, the police, housing, voting, setting up a business, copyright, privacy and social media, or even when and where to skateboard. This is a great project and we can’t wait for it to start.”
The sessions will be run weekly during term-time, with a slightly reduced service during the holidays.
Appointments for the advice session at The Station, every Monday from 2.30pm to 5pm, can be arranged through Creative Youth Network on 0117 947 7948.
Appointments for the advice session in the Wills Memorial Building, every Wednesday from 12noon to 2pm beginning 19 November, can be booked by calling 0117 954 5340 or emailing bristol-lawclinic@bristol.ac.uk
Keep up-to-date via the Bristol Law Clinic website. The Law Clinic receives significant donations and support from alumni, friends and the law community who helped make this possible.