Law Clinic to reopen its doors

Teesside University’s student-run legal advice service is about to reopen its doors to the public.

The Law Clinic, based in the School of Social Sciences, Business & Law, has a dual purpose in providing law students with real practical experience of handling legal cases, while offering a service to the community in cases where people may otherwise find it difficult to afford legal advice and representation.

Since its launch in 2012, Teesside Law Clinic has dealt with over 500 enquires including referrals from solicitors, the courts, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and MPs. The team has also recovered or saved in excess of two million pounds for clients.

A family law clinic, which can offer help in relation to children, divorce, co-habitation, forced marriage and domestic violence, will be held from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on alternative Wednesdays with local law firms.

The clinic has also linked up with the Students' Union Student Support (SUSS) to run a Private Accommodation Clinic for students seeking to resolve any issues they may have with private landlords.

Andrew Perriman, Senior Lecturer in Law, said: 'We have had considerable success with employment law matters over the last few years focusing on redundancy and unfair dismissals and we have built up a national presence in the Pro Bono world with a variety of commendations from the Attorney General.'

In April this year the Law Clinic was shortlisted as best Pro Bono Community Initiative in the Northern Law Awards for the second consecutive year. It was previously commended for its work in launching a legal challenge on behalf of a client to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in a bid to secure fair payouts for historic sex abuse victims.

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• Law Clinic