We have an award winning pro bono service. Below are details of some of the schemes we have run in Leeds. There are changes year-to-year, but we will always provide a range of options designed to enhance the employability of our students.
Clinic Shadowing Schemes
We work with a range of law firms, both national and local, in the Leeds and York area who provide free legal advice sessions in their firms. Typically, you will shadow a solicitor at a clinic and may be asked to carry out research and assist clients completing forms and applications. There are opportunities to work in a broad range of areas of law including employment, debt and family to immigration.
Harrogate Police Station Duty Solicitor Shadowing
Students gain first-hand experience of attending a police station to advise and represent a suspect who has usually been arrested and detained before charge. You also have the opportunity to write a client care letter, and may undertake research in relation to the client’s offence.
Leeds Legal Advice Clinic
The Leeds Legal Advice Centre offers members of the public free legal advice on family, employment and housing matters. You will sit in during client meetings together with a specialist external solicitor and then write a letter of advice to the client. This provides you with an excellent experience involving in direct and face to face client contact and interviewing, whilst developing your skills in research and drafting.
Keyhouse Shadowing
Keyhouse is a not for profit organisation that provides housing services to homeless people, refugees and homeowners. This organisation runs a duty housing advice desk at Scarborough, Bridlington, and York County Courts, and students have the opportunity to shadow duty advisors.
Leeds Civil Housing Duty Solicitor Shadowing
This is an opportunity to shadow the duty solicitor at Leeds County Court, which can include housing possessions, housing association and private landlord hearings.
Personal Support Unit (PSU)
The PSU provides free non-legal support to litigants in person. As a volunteer, you would undertake administrative duties and attend court with clients.
Yorkshire Tribunal Advocacy Project (YTAP)
As part of this project you would provide advocacy support to appellants at Social Security Tribunals in Leeds and Bradford. Training would be provided by welfare advisors who refer cases over for you to volunteer to take part in. Your duties would include reviewing the case and attending the tribunal hearing with the client.
Streetlaw Programme
Groups of students prepare and give presentations at community centres in Leeds and York. Alongside your fellow students, you would need to research and produce a workshop aimed at raising awareness of legal rights in the community.
Citizens Advice Bureau Witness Service (CAWS)
Students volunteer to provide support and give information to witnesses in court. Once trained, you can attend court with the client to support them before, during and after giving evidence at criminal trials.
ULaw’s “Toast Love Coffee” Legal Advice Clinic Collaboration
The University of Law has collaborated with a local social community café where we hold a fortnightly free legal drop in clinic for members of the public. The clinic is run by our student volunteers who provide a triage service to the clients by obtaining initial details, and clients are then seen by a volunteer qualified solicitor.
Pro Bono and Work Experience
Go back to find out more about the pro bono opportunities that we offer at each of our campuses.
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