A functioning justice system means access to both the courts and legal advice for all who need it. Yet, with cuts to legal aid expected to be in the region of 40 per cent, society’s most vulnerable are being left unprotected. Meanwhile, law students graduating from university are being penalised for not having enough experience of law in practice.

In the first law clinic annual review (PDF, 1,423kB), Director, John Peake, outlines the role the clinic plays in helping those that most need support get the justice they deserve - whilst students gain the very best clinical legal education through the provision of a valuable social service that has the power to change lives.

We have come a long way in a year. Since September 2014, the Law Clinic has transformed from a student-led voluntary organisation to a practitioner-led Law Clinic. We have become part of a new module based on Clinical Legal Studies, bringing the activities of the clinic into the heart of student learning. And we have built capacity to take on more cases whilst ensuring the students managing them get the right support.

The review provides a summary of how the Law Clinic works, the partners it works with, student development, the people it's helped and the individuals and organisations that have supported its growth.  

Creating an environment where students learn through the provision of legal advice not only enriches their lives – but can fundamentally change the lives of those they are supporting. We are hugely grateful to the support of colleagues, students and alumni donors for helping us turn our vision for the Law Clinic into a reality.