Volunteering opportunity
University of Brighton Legal Clinic are looking for volunteer qualified solicitors specialising in:
- employment
- family
- housing
- business/contract
Volunteer solicitors will meet with student clinicians before each client interview to:
- Review the case and identify legal issues.
- Provide guidance on relevant law, procedure, and ethical considerations.
- Offer constructive feedback on interview preparation and proposed questions.
Regarding the client interview, volunteer solicitors:
- Attend and observe online student-led client interviews (volunteers may keep their camera or microphone off, but must remain present and attentive).
- Intervene only when necessary to clarify issues, address concerns, or manage inappropriate behaviour.
- Encourage students’ independent learning while ensuring professional standards are maintained.
- Can make their own confidential notes if they wish but students take the primary notes for the Client Care Letter and Attendance Note.
After the client interview, volunteer solicitors:
- Provide feedback to students during the post-interview debrief.
- Assist students in drafting accurate, clear, and professional written advice.
- Review and sign off the final Letter of Advice to ensure compliance with current law and professional standards.
Volunteer solicitors are also welcome to participate in student training sessions or workshops if they wish (e.g., guest speaking).
The clinic operates remotely (via MS Teams).
Advice is covered by the clinic's professional indemnity insurance.
Person specification
The clinic does not require volunteer solicitors to have a specific level of PQE.
All final Letters of Advice are reviewed and signed off by a practising solicitor who holds a current practising certificate (Director of the Legal Clinic).
Time commitment
The clinic is flexible and open to discussions with firms about how often they want to be included on the clinic rota. Each case requires a time commitment of approximately 3 hours:
- 30 minutes pre-meeting with the student clinicians
- 1 hour client interview + 15 minutes contingency
- 15 - 30 minutes post-interview debrief with student clinicians
Next steps
If you would be interested in supporting University of Brighton Legal Clinic , please contact Rebecca Howell, Head of Clinics Programme at LawWorks: rebecca.howell@lawworks.org.uk