Aims
- To provide students with a real-world opportunity to learn and develop knowledge and practical skills by providing advice and assistance to the public
- To provide the community of Derby with free advice and assistance in a number of areas of law, providing a wider access to justice
The University of Derby's Community Legal Advice Service has been shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Law School at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2024.
Our Legal Advice Clinics
We offer free legal advice to members of the public on a range of legal matters. Members of the public can book appointments with our law students through our centralised email (studentlegaladvicecentre@derby.ac.uk). Students will then meet with the client at an online meeting, assess their circumstances during an interview, and then if within the remit of the Centre's clinics, will offer free assistance by way of written guidance under the supervision of qualified legal professionals.
Explore our Clinics:
Family Law
Our Family Law clinic offers support on matters such as:
- Children's matters
- Separation and divorce
- Protective injunctions
The Student Legal Advice Centre also offers support to Litigants in Person in Family Law matters at the Family Court at Derby. If you are representing yourself in a Family Law matter, a student volunteer can attend Court with you to support you, take notes and following the hearing we will discuss the outcome of the hearing with you.
Our Family Law Clinic is open every Thursday between 1pm and 5pm.
To book please contact: familyclinic@derby.ac.uk
Immigration Family Reunion Clinic
Our Immigration Family Reunion Clinic assists with refugees who are seeking support with family reunion applications.
Immigration Family Reunion clinic is open every other Wednesday between 1pm to 5pm.
You can book by contacting: immigration@derby.ac.uk
Business Law Clinic
Offering free support on business and commercial law for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK. The Business Law Clinic aims to
provide guidance on all manner of business and commercial law related matters.
Scope of the Business Law Clinic
- Guidance on choice of business model and other new business legal queries
- Review of policies and other HR-related documents and provision of standard templates and documents where required
- Guidance on and analysis of contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to identify risks
- Legal editorial work in limited circumstances
What we are unable to do:
- Draft commercial contracts, agreements or employment contracts
- Litigation advice or advocacy
- Accountancy
- Anything other than UK Law
*Please note this list is not exhaustive.
To arrange an appointment for any of these clinics, please email studentlegaladvicecentre@derby.ac.uk, stating in the subject the clinic for which you would like to make an appointment.
The Business Law Clinic is open on Tuesdays from 1 pm to 5 pm by supervising solicitor, Dr Jennifer L L Gant. This clinic is open year through, bar 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 weeks at Easter and 4 weeks in the summer period.
You can book by contacting: businessclinic@derby.ac.uk
Legal triage clinic for the University of Derby students
University of Derby students can make an appointment with the legal triage clinic on any legal matter. We will determine if the Centre can assist and if not will appropriately signpost.
The Legal Triage Clinic operates during semester time only on alternate Wednesdays. Appointments can be made via the Union of Students.
For more information please contact: legaltriage@derby.ac.uk
SEND Law Clinic
The SEND Law Clinic is for parents/carers who are residents in Derby City or Derbyshire who are seeking advice in SEND matters. The SEND Law Clinic aims to provide initial advice and offer signposting if the matters is beyond the expertise of the Clinic.
Appointments for our SEND Law Clinic are held every other Wednesday afternoon during University semesters.
Appointments are with two third year student volunteers with a background in Law and/or SEND.
There is professional oversight by a solicitor and a SEND specialist.
To book please contact: send@derby.ac.uk
Support at Court
The Student Legal Advice Centre also offers support to Litigants in Person in Family Law matters at the Family Court at Derby. If you are representing yourself in a Family Law matter, a student volunteer can attend Court with you to support you, take notes and following the hearing discuss the outcome of the hearing with you.
To book please contact: supportatcourt@derby.ac.uk
"I cannot express enough gratitude for the A+++ level of service I received from the University of Derby Community Legal Advice Service. The guidance provided in my recent case related to my son's SEND needs has been absolutely invaluable. The advice letter I received was incredibly thorough and well-researched, addressing every concern I raised. The Centre's insights have been incredibly empowering. Understanding these points has strengthened my arguments in the documents I prepared for the upcoming SEND Tribunal case. I feel far more knowledgeable and confident in advocating for my son's rights.
I was treated with such kindness and genuine care during my interactions. This is an incredibly stressful period, and the Centre's support is making a significant difference in my ability to advocate strongly for my son."
SEND Clinic client
Our Research-Based Clinics
The Centre also has research-based clinics that allow students an opportunity to increase their research, writing and presentation skills on relevant and current issues.
The Justice Project is available to first-year students in the first year of undergraduate legal studies. During the project, students work on a current issue together in a group, which for the 2022/23 academic year has been focused on carbon literacy and environmental issues. Later in the year, our justice project students will present their findings at an event that includes local professionals, judges, and policymakers as well as staff and students from all over the University.
The Policy Clinic is available to second and third-year undergraduate and postgraduate law students and aims to provide a policy report or other written outcomes to an external client, frequently a non-governmental organisation. From 2021-2023, the Policy Clinic has been focused on a policy project focused on the criminalisation of youth poverty in India under a brief provided by the International Bridges for Justice entitled 'Exploring the Nexus between Poverty and the Criminal Justice System in India.' With the support of the International Bridges for Justice, it is expected that the clinic will produce a policy paper by the end of the 2022/23 academic year.
The Centre has recently launched an International Human Rights Law Clinic for Non-Governmental Organisations and lawyers. The Clinic is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate law students and provides research briefings to external clients in international human rights. The clinic is open on Thursdays from 3 pm to 5 pm and is supervised by Dr Muin Boase.
Student involvement
As a student of Derby Law School, you will have the opportunity to become involved with the Centre from the outset of your degree. Depending on the clinic with which you volunteer within the Centre, you will have the opportunity to meet with clients, take instructions, carry out research and advise accordingly in writing.
First-year students are currently involved in a Justice Project. This promotes the teaching of law to all members of the community, including school children, by informing them of their legal rights and responsibilities.
Second-year students have the opportunity to become involved in the Immigration Family Reunion Clinic. Second-year students will also have the opportunity to become involved in the Legal Triage Clinic.
Third-year students are involved in the Family Law Clinic and Support at Court for Litigants in Person. Third-year students will also have the opportunity to become involved in the Business Clinic.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students have the opportunity to volunteer in the Centre’s Policy Clinic and International Human Rights Clinic, which carry out research for non-government organisations.
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