Volunteering opportunity
The University of Greater Manchester and Bolton Library Legal Advice Bureau (LAB) is a free legal advice service, staffed by law students working under the supervision of experienced volunteer solicitors from the local area.
The LAB provides an advice-only service and currently covers a wide range of legal areas including: employment, family, civil litigation, consumer, immigration, property, wills & probate and personal injury. Appointments currently take place in person only at Bolton Library on the second Tuesday of each month between 11:00am – 1:00pm.
The LAB are looking for additional solicitors (specialising in any area of law) to support their service.
University of Greater Manchester students speak to the individual first to understand the issue and take preliminary information. The volunteer solicitor is provided with a brief synopsis of the case to check suitability and to complete conflict checks.
Solicitors give verbal advice to the client during their 30 minute appointment. Up to two students will shadow the solicitor during the appointment to help with note-taking. Solicitors are allocated a maximum of four clients per clinic session.
Time commitment
Volunteer solicitors do not necessarily need to be available to attend the clinic each month – any support would be greatly appreciated.
Person specification
Solicitors with a current practising certificate specialising in any area of law.
Advice provided by solicitors when volunteering with University of Greater Manchester and Bolton Library Legal Advice Bureau would need to be covered by the firms professional indemnity insurance.
Next steps
If you are interested in volunteering with University of Greater Manchester and Bolton Library Legal Advice Bureau, please contact Rebecca Howell, Head of Clinics Programme at LawWorks for an informal conversation about the opportunity: rebecca.howell@lawworks.org.uk