Pro Bono Opportunity with University of Law’s Yorkshire Legal Advice Centre

The Yorkshire Legal Advice Centre at the University of Law provides free legal advice and assistance to individuals who cannot afford to pay for legal advice. The clinic currently provides wills and probate & family law advice but is looking to expand to also provide commercial law advice.

Volunteering Opportunity

University of Law’s Yorkshire Legal Advice Centre are currently seeking qualifed commercial law solicitors to support their expanding clinic.

Ahead of each clinic, volunteer solicitors will receive a concise case summary along with student-drafted interview questions for review and amendment.  During the client appointment, students lead the questioning and then volunteers provide preliminary advice to the client.  After the appointment, volunteer solicitors take part in a structured debrief with the students.

Appointment format:

  • 15-minute student briefing
  • 1-hour client meeting
  • 15-minute debrief

Following the session, students prepare the attendance note and draft the letter of advice for review and approval by the volunteer solicitor. The finalised letter is then sent to the client within three weeks of the appointment.

All volunteering is conducted remotely, although the clinic can also accommodate in person if that is the volunteer’s preference.

Professional indemnity insurance is provided by the clinic.

This is an opportunity to support and mentor aspiring solicitors.

Person Specification

Volunteers must be 3+ years’ PQE with a current practising certificate and specialising in commercial law.  Volunteers under 3 years’ PQE are welcome to volunteer with appropriate supervision from someone 3+ years PQE within the firm.

 

Time Commitment

There is no set time commitment - volunteer solicitors can volunteer as little or as often as they like. The clinic operates between October – July.

Each clinic session runs for 1.5 hours. Many volunteers opt to complete two clinics in a single day, but the clinic is flexible and happy to arrange sessions to suit volunteer availability.

 

Next steps

If you would be interested in supporting University of Law’s Yorkshire Legal Advice Centre, please contact Rebecca Howell, Head of Clinics Programme at LawWorks: rebecca.howell@lawworks.org.uk 

Details

Opportunity location

Online
United Kingdom
,
GB

Region

Online

Opportunity type