Law Clinic
Practical experience of law in action
Our Law Clinic, Justice Bradford, has two essential roles:
- It gives students an opportunity to put theory into practice with real-life cases.
- It provides legal advice to members of the public who have not been able to get legal help elsewhere.
As part of their degree, students have the chance to work in our Law Clinic. this involves advising members of the public, in conjunction with academics, legal professionals and a number of local organisations including the Citizens Advice Bureau and Girlington Advice Centre.
The Law Clinic provides free comprehensive legal advice to members of the public, dealing with a range of issues including:
- Family matters such as divorce, property disputes or disputes about children
- Employment issues
- Civil disputes such as contract or consumer issues
- Neighbour disputes
- Inheritance and probate issues
Reductions in the availability of Legal Aid have meant that many of the cases dealt with are those for which no other free assistance is available. There is unmet legal need in the Bradford district and the work of the Clinic gives students the chance to help members of the local community.
Students are trained to work in teams to interview members of the public. Using the skills they have acquired in their studies, they undertake legal research on each case. Students then prepare advice for their client under the guidance of academics and legal professionals.
We live by our strapline, "Delivering Education through Public Service" – our students get the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real life situations and the public benefit from our students’ education.
Riaz Bashir Law Clinic Director
Essential Experience
The Clinic gives students the chance to deal with real cases as presented by real clients. Students learn the skills that will serve them well in their future careers – practical application of the law which is essential to the development of young lawyers. Students also develop other essential skills such as teamwork and become aware of the wider practicalities of legal practice such as client confidentiality, legal ethics and record keeping.
“The Law Clinic provides students with first-hand, hands-on experience of advising clients which would undoubtedly prove invaluable in any career they choose after graduating.”
Kaptuiya Tembo, Lecturer in Law
Citizens Advice
Support and Mentoring
The Law Clinic gave me an opportunity to interact directly with people affected by the blunt end of the legal aid reforms.
Mohammad Haroon, LLB Law