Legal Clinic

Auréliane Beauclair-Evans

Director of the Brighton Legal Clinic and Legal Adviser - Family Law 

Auréliane is a Director of the Brighton Legal Clinic and a member of the Law, Society and Justice Research Excellence Group. She supervises students advising clients on family law matters while leading the strategic development of the Clinic and expanding opportunities for students to gain practical legal experience through pro bono work.

She teaches family law, criminal litigation and procedure, criminal evidence and advocacy, and leads the Law School's extra-curricular mooting programme. Her research interests include family law, domestic abuse, criminal legal practice, legal education and clinical legal education, with a particular focus on access to justice and the role of university legal clinics.

Auréliane holds the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), a Graduate Diploma in Law, a Master's degree in International Relations and Politics from the University of Sussex, and is a qualified Civil and Commercial Mediator. She is committed to combining academic excellence with practical legal education to prepare students for successful legal careers while serving the local community.

Read Auréliane's full profile here.

David Thomas

Director of the Brighton Legal Clinic and Legal Adviser – Housing Law

David Thomas is a Teaching Fellow in Law at Brighton Law School and a legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic. He supervises students advising clients on housing law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while supporting members of the local community through the Clinic's pro bono service.

David qualified as a solicitor in 1986 and spent over 25 years in legal practice, specialising in housing law, legal aid, and related public and human rights law. His extensive experience advising vulnerable clients provides students with valuable insight into both the legal and practical aspects of housing disputes.

Alongside his work at the University of Brighton, David trains community volunteers and advice workers in housing law for Advicenow, the Foundation for Public Legal Education, supporting wider access to legal knowledge and advice.

David is currently undertaking a PhD at the School of Law, Birkbeck, University of London. His research explores the origins of human rights through the work of Thomas Hobbes and Gerrard Winstanley, drawing on the ideas of Michel Foucault and Jacques Rancière. His broader research interests include housing law, homelessness, public law and human rights.

Read David's full profile here.

Dr Jo Smith 

Legal Adviser – Family Law and Victims' Right to Review

Dr Jo Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Brighton Law School and a legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic. She supervises students advising clients on family law and Victims' Right to Review matters, helping them develop the practical skills, professional judgement and ethical awareness required for legal practice.

Jo's teaching and research span law, criminology and gender studies. Her research focuses on gender-based violence, sexual violence, hate crime, online abuse, gender and criminal justice, family law, LGBTQI+ experiences and feminist research methods. She has particular expertise in the experiences of victim-survivors and the legal responses to violence and discrimination.

Jo completed her PhD at the University of Surrey, where her research examined women's experiences of online gendered hate. She also holds a Master's degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Social Research from the University of Surrey and a Bachelor's degree in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford.

Through her work with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Jo is committed to widening access to justice while supporting students to apply their legal knowledge in real client cases under professional supervision.

Read Jo's full profile here.

Gillian Keenan

Legal Adviser – Employment Law

Gillian Keenan is a specialist in Employment Law and Human Resource Management and a legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic. She supervises students advising clients on employment law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while supporting the Clinic's commitment to widening access to justice.

Before joining academia, Gillian held senior roles as a Human Resources Director and co-founded a specialist HR consultancy. Her extensive professional experience informs her teaching, particularly in employment law, workplace relations, discrimination, redundancies, business transfers, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and professional skills such as negotiation, communication and leadership.

Alongside her work in employment law, Gillian has a strong interest in animal rights and welfare. She teaches a postgraduate module in animal rights, has presented her research at national and international conferences, and is the founder of Dogs Welfare, a registered charity dedicated to improving the welfare of stray dogs through education, vaccination and sterilisation programmes.

Read Gillian's full profile here.

Gilliane Williams

Legal Adviser – Housing Law

Gilliane Williams is a legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, specialising in housing law. She supervises students advising clients on housing matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while supporting the Clinic's commitment to widening access to justice.

Gilliane's teaching and research focus on housing and procurement, reflecting her longstanding interest in housing policy and access to safe, secure housing. Alongside her academic work, she brings extensive experience in public service and housing governance. She is a Trustee of Seaside Homes, serves on Brighton & Hove City Council's Homeless Reduction Board, is a Director of Hyde Housing on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, and has been an elected councillor since 2019. She also serves as Brighton & Hove City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing.

Her combination of academic knowledge and practical leadership in housing policy provides students with valuable insight into the legal, social and policy dimensions of housing law and homelessness.

Read Gilliane's full profile here.

Ketan Jha

Legal Adviser – Contract Law

Ketan Jha is a lecturer in law and a legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic. He supervises students advising clients on contract law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while supporting the Clinic's commitment to widening access to justice.

Ketan's teaching and research focus on environmental law, public law, constitutional law and legal history. His research explores environmental governance, biodiversity net gain, coastal restoration and citizen participation in environmental decision-making. He has also contributed to climate litigation, including work on landmark environmental cases brought by Plan B Earth, and continues to research the legal frameworks governing environmental protection and natural resources.

His approach to teaching is strongly research-led, encouraging students to engage critically with contemporary legal issues and to apply legal principles to real-world challenges. Alongside his academic work, Ketan has held trustee positions with environmental organisations, including People & Planet and the UK Youth Climate Coalition, reflecting his commitment to public engagement and environmental justice.

Read Ketan's full profile here.

Robert Williams 

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Robert Williams is the CEO and a Director of Family Law Partners, one of the UK's leading specialist family law firms. He is a Solicitor, Collaborative Lawyer, Family Law Arbitrator and a Deputy District Judge, with over 30 years' experience specialising exclusively in family law. Robert is widely recognised for his expertise in complex financial remedy cases arising from divorce, separation and the dissolution of civil partnerships. He is consistently ranked as a leading family lawyer by Chambers UK and was inducted into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contribution to family law.

At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Robert volunteers as a legal adviser, supervising students on family law matters and sharing his extensive experience of both litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He supports students throughout the client interview, legal research and advice-writing process, helping them develop the practical skills, professional judgement and client-centred approach expected of future legal practitioners.

Robert is a strong advocate for resolving family disputes constructively wherever possible and is committed to supporting clinical legal education and widening access to justice through pro bono legal work. His experience as a solicitor, arbitrator and Deputy District Judge provides students with exceptional insight into family law practice and dispute resolution.

Read Robert's full profile here.

Hannah Bradburn

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Housing Law

Hannah Bradburn is a Solicitor at Lawstop, specialising in housing law and access to justice. She advises clients on a wide range of housing matters and has experience supporting individuals facing some of the most challenging housing issues. Hannah is passionate about legal aid and widening access to justice, and she is committed to mentoring the next generation of lawyers through clinical legal education. At the Brighton Legal Clinic, she supervises students advising clients on housing law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while providing high-quality legal advice to the local community.

Debbie Howard

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Housing Law

Debbie Howard is an experienced Housing Solicitor at Lawstop with many years' experience advising clients on housing and homelessness issues. Throughout her career she has worked to improve access to justice for vulnerable individuals and has extensive experience in legal aid practice. As a volunteer legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Debbie supervises students working on housing law cases, supporting them in developing their legal knowledge, professional judgement and client care skills while helping members of the local community.

Emily Higlett

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Emily Higlett is a Pupil at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, practising in family law. Before commencing pupillage, Emily worked as a paralegal in a specialist family law firm and volunteered as a qualified adviser with Citizens Advice, where she supported vulnerable members of the community. She has a strong commitment to pro bono work and legal education and previously supervised students at the Brighton Legal Clinic during her pupillage. Emily enjoys supporting students as they develop their legal skills through real client work and professional supervision.

Read Emily's full profile here.

Sophia Hart

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Civil Law

Sophia Hart is a Pupil at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, with a practice spanning civil and commercial law. Prior to joining the Bar, Sophia worked as a litigation paralegal, gaining experience in property, employment, commercial and construction disputes. She also volunteered with Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove, advising clients on housing, debt, family and consumer issues. At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Sophia supports students in applying legal principles to real client matters while encouraging professionalism, critical thinking and effective client communication.

Read Sophia's full profile here.

Olivia Price

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Olivia Price is a Pupil at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, specialising in family law. Before commencing practice at the Bar, Olivia worked as a family law paralegal, gaining experience in complex financial remedy proceedings and private and international children matters. As a volunteer legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, she supervises students working on family law cases and enjoys supporting students as they develop the practical skills and confidence required for professional legal practice.

Read Olivia's full profile here.

Sophia Pascoe

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Sophia Pascoe is a Pupil at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, specialising in family law. Prior to joining Chambers, she worked as a residential property paralegal and was actively involved in mentoring and widening participation initiatives through the Inner Temple and organisations supporting aspiring lawyers. Sophia is passionate about legal education and enjoys mentoring students through the Brighton Legal Clinic, where she supervises family law matters and helps students translate legal theory into professional practice.

Read Sophia's full profile here.

Richard Ager

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Richard Ager is a highly respected Family Barrister at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, with many years' experience representing clients in complex family proceedings. Throughout his distinguished career, Richard has been recognised for his expertise, professionalism and commitment to supporting the development of future legal professionals. As one of the Brighton Legal Clinic's volunteer legal advisers, he has played an important role in supervising students, sharing his considerable experience and supporting the Clinic's commitment to widening access to justice through pro bono legal education.

Read Richard's full profile here.

Stuart Grace

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Property and Private Client Law

Stuart Grace is a Solicitor at Dawson Hart Solicitors with extensive experience advising clients across a range of private client and property matters. Through his work with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Stuart supervises students on legal matters, helping them develop practical legal skills, professional confidence and an appreciation of client-centred legal practice. His guidance provides students with valuable insight into the day-to-day work of a practising solicitor.

Pamela Grant

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Family Law

Pamela Grant is an experienced legal practitioner and academic associated with BPP University. She has extensive experience supervising pro bono legal work and supporting students in developing the practical skills required for legal practice. As a volunteer legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Pamela supervises students working on family law matters and is committed to promoting access to justice through clinical legal education.

Matthew Withers

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Employment and Property Law

Matthew Withers is a Barrister at 1 Crown Office Row, Brighton, with a well-established civil practice specialising in employment law, property law and general civil litigation. Called to the Bar in 2016, he regularly advises and represents both claimants and defendants across a broad range of civil matters, including employment disputes, landlord and tenant issues, contractual claims and property litigation. He is consistently recognised by leading legal directories for his technical expertise, analytical approach and client-focused advocacy.

At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Matthew volunteers his time supervising students working on employment, contract and property-related matters. He provides practical guidance throughout the client interview, legal research and advice-writing process, helping students develop the professional skills, judgement and confidence expected in legal practice.

Matthew's commitment to mentoring aspiring lawyers and supporting access to justice reflects the collaborative ethos of the Brighton Legal Clinic. His experience in both litigation and advisory work gives students valuable insight into the realities of legal practice while ensuring clients receive carefully supervised, high-quality legal advice.

Read Matthew's profile here.

Shang-Hsuen Koh

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Commercial and Investment Funds Law

Shang-Hsuen Koh is a Solicitor in the Investment Funds & Private Capital practice at Paul Hastings, based in the firm's London office. He advises asset managers, investment sponsors and financial institutions on the structuring, formation, fundraising and ongoing operation of private investment funds and segregated mandates across a broad range of asset classes. He is admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales and holds an LL.B. (First Class Honours) from King's College London and a Legal Practice Course from BPP University.

As a volunteer legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Shang-Hsuen supervises students working on commercial and contract law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while applying legal principles to real client issues. He is committed to supporting clinical legal education and mentoring students as they prepare for careers in the legal profession.

Shang-Hsuen's expertise in complex commercial transactions and international legal practice provides students with valuable insight into the commercial legal sector while reinforcing the importance of clear legal analysis, professional judgement and client-focused advice.

View Shang-Hsuen's profile here.

Rebecca Handcock

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Housing Law

Rebecca is a Barrister at Field Court Chambers, specialising in housing law, public law, local government law and the Court of Protection. Called to the Bar in 2013, she regularly represents local authorities, social landlords, government departments and individuals in a wide range of housing and homelessness matters, including disrepair claims, anti-social behaviour, housing allocation and homelessness appeals. Rebecca is also a member of the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel to the Crown and has extensive experience in public inquiries and judicial review proceedings.

At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Rebecca volunteers as a legal adviser supervising students on housing law matters. She supports students throughout the client interview, legal research and advice-writing process, helping them develop the analytical, practical and professional skills required for legal practice while ensuring clients receive carefully supervised legal advice.

Rebecca is committed to widening access to justice and supporting the next generation of legal professionals through clinical legal education. Her expertise in housing and public law provides students with valuable insight into an area of law that has a significant impact on individuals and communities

View Rebecca's profile here.

Ryan Fincham

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Employment, Contract and Business Law

Ryan Fincham is a Barrister at 4 New Square Chambers, specialising in commercial litigation and business disputes. He read Law at the University of Oxford, graduating with First Class Honours and receiving a number of academic prizes, including the Martin Wronker Prize for the highest overall performance in his year. Before joining the Bar, Ryan worked in the London office of a leading US law firm, advising financial institutions, investment funds and corporate clients on a range of complex commercial transactions and financing arrangements.

At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Ryan volunteers as a legal adviser, supervising students on employment, contract and business law matters. He supports students through client interviews, legal research and the preparation of written advice, helping them develop the analytical, drafting and professional skills required for legal practice.

Ryan is committed to supporting clinical legal education and widening access to justice through pro bono work. His commercial practice and experience advising businesses provide students with valuable insight into the practical application of commercial and employment law while preparing them for careers in the legal profession.

View Ryan's profile here.

Alex Cooper

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Housing Law

Alex Cooper is a lawyer in the Accountable Corporations team at ClientEarth, where he develops and implements legal strategies to address climate-related risk, corporate accountability and environmental governance. His work focuses on using the law to promote responsible business practices and support the transition to a more sustainable future.

Before joining ClientEarth, Alex practised at Hausfeld & Co LLP, acting in complex domestic and cross-border litigation, and previously worked at Slaughter and May, gaining experience across a broad range of commercial legal matters.

Throughout his career, Alex has maintained a strong commitment to pro bono legal work. At the Brighton Legal Clinic, he supervises students advising clients on housing law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills, professional confidence and an understanding of client-centred legal practice. He is passionate about supporting the next generation of lawyers while improving access to justice for members of the local community.

Rebecca Roberts

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Contract and Business Law

Rebecca Roberts is an Associate Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team at Dean Wilson LLP, where she advises individuals and businesses on a broad range of contentious matters. Her practice includes commercial and business disputes, breach of contract, construction disputes, property litigation, debt recovery and enforcement. She has successfully acted for clients in complex High Court litigation and has extensive experience resolving disputes through both negotiation and court proceedings.

As a volunteer legal adviser with the Brighton Legal Clinic, Rebecca supervises students on contract and business law matters, helping them develop practical legal skills while applying legal principles to real client issues. She works closely with students throughout the client interview, legal research and advice-writing process, encouraging analytical thinking, professional judgement and effective client communication.

Rebecca is committed to supporting clinical legal education and widening access to justice through pro bono legal work. Her experience in commercial litigation provides students with valuable insight into dispute resolution and the practical application of contract and business law.

View Rebecca's profile here.

Macie Channing

Volunteer Legal Adviser – Employment, Contract and Business Law

Macie Channing is a Barrister at Civitas Law, having successfully completed her pupillage after being called to the Bar in 2025. She completed the Bar Training Course with distinction, achieving outstanding academic results, and is developing a practice across a range of civil law matters.

At the Brighton Legal Clinic, Macie volunteers as a legal adviser, supervising students on employment, contract and business law matters. She supports students through client interviews, legal research and the preparation of written legal advice, helping them develop the practical skills, professional confidence and ethical awareness expected of future legal practitioners.

Macie is committed to widening access to justice and supporting the next generation of lawyers through clinical legal education. She enjoys mentoring students and helping them bridge the gap between legal theory and professional practice while providing a valuable service to members of the local community.

Read Macie's profile here.

Fionna Fox

Volunteer Legal Adviser - Housing

Bringing skills and experience from the UK, Fionna advises our clients, many of whom are victims of institutional abuse, in how to secure justice and redress from the State. Fionna qualified as a Solicitor in the UK in 1997 and specialised in Housing Litigation mainly acting for tenants defending possession proceedings and instigating disrepair claims. Fionna also acted for some of the large social housing organisations in South London. Fionna was a partner in a medium sized firm in London. She moved in Ireland in 2003 and worked for the Law Society of Ireland in the Education Department.

Fionna also acted on a Pro Bono basis for survivors of historical institutional child abuse particularly former residents of Industrial Schools assisting applicants to the Caranua Fund. 

Latest News

Welcoming New Volunteer Legal Advisers

The Brighton Legal Clinic is pleased to welcome new volunteer legal advisers from across the legal profession. Their expertise strengthens the Clinic's ability to support our students while expanding the free legal advice we provide to the local community. We look forward to introducing each of our new advisers and sharing their professional backgrounds through our Meet the Team pages.

Brighton Legal Clinic Continues to Grow

As demand for the Clinic continues to increase, we are expanding the number of students, volunteer legal advisers and areas of legal expertise available within the Clinic. This growth reflects Brighton Law School's continued commitment to clinical legal education, student employability and widening access to justice.

Welcoming Our New Student Clinicians

Each academic year we welcome a new cohort of undergraduate and postgraduate law students to the Brighton Legal Clinic. Working alongside experienced legal professionals, our student clinicians gain practical legal experience while making a valuable contribution to the local community through pro bono legal advice.

Guest Speakers

Throughout the academic year we welcome distinguished guest speakers from across the legal profession.

Previous and future speakers include:

• Judges
• King's Counsel
• Barristers
• Solicitors
• CILEX Lawyers
• In-house Counsel
• Legal Academics
• Alumni
• Representatives from legal charities and public organisations

Guest speakers provide students with valuable insight into legal practice, professional ethics, career development and current legal issues.

Interested in speaking at the Brighton Legal Clinic?

We are always pleased to hear from legal professionals who would like to share their expertise with our students.

LawWorks

The Brighton Legal Clinic is proud to be a member of the LawWorks Clinic Network.

Working alongside LawWorks and university legal clinics across England and Wales, we contribute to widening access to justice by providing supervised pro bono legal advice to members of the public.

We regularly participate in LawWorks events, training opportunities and initiatives that support both clinical legal education and the wider pro bono community.

Upcoming Events

Throughout the academic year we host a range of events, including:

• Guest lectures
• Professional networking events
• Volunteer Legal Adviser receptions
• Student induction and training
• Careers events
• Mooting competitions
• Pro bono workshops
• LawWorks activities

Details of upcoming events will be published here throughout the year.

Success Stories

Every case at the Brighton Legal Clinic represents an opportunity for our students to develop professionally while making a meaningful difference to someone's life.

The examples below have been anonymised to protect client confidentiality.

Helping a Tenant Understand Their Rights

A tenant facing possible eviction approached the Clinic for advice after receiving notice from their landlord. Working under the supervision of an experienced housing law adviser, our student clinicians reviewed the client's circumstances, researched the relevant legislation and prepared detailed written advice explaining the client's legal rights and the options available. The client left with a clearer understanding of their legal position and the next steps they could take.

"The advice was clear, reassuring and helped me understand where I stood. I felt listened to and supported throughout."– Brighton Legal Clinic Client

Supporting a Family Through a Difficult Time

The Clinic advised a client seeking guidance on a family law matter involving child arrangements. Following a supervised client interview, students researched the relevant legal framework and prepared tailored advice to help the client understand the legal process and available options. The experience also enabled students to appreciate the importance of empathy, professionalism and effective client communication.

Employment Advice at a Critical Time

A client contacted the Clinic after experiencing difficulties in the workplace. Student clinicians, supervised by an employment law specialist, analysed the legal issues, reviewed supporting documentation and prepared written advice outlining the client's employment rights and potential next steps.

The client was able to make informed decisions about resolving the matter with confidence.

Student Experiences

Clinical legal education offers students an opportunity to apply their legal knowledge in a real-world setting while developing the professional skills expected by employers.

"The Brighton Legal Clinic gave me the confidence to work with real clients and apply the law in practice. It was one of the most valuable experiences of my degree." - Final-year LLB Student

"Working alongside experienced solicitors and barristers was invaluable. I developed my legal research, interviewing and drafting skills while learning what professional practice is really like." - Postgraduate Law Student

"The Clinic challenged me to think critically, communicate clearly and work collaboratively. It confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in law." - LLM Student

Volunteer Legal Adviser Perspectives

Our volunteer legal advisers are central to the success of the Brighton Legal Clinic.

"The students are enthusiastic, committed and eager to learn. Supervising them is incredibly rewarding, and it is a privilege to help prepare the next generation of lawyers." - Volunteer Legal Adviser

"The Brighton Legal Clinic is exceptionally well organised and provides an excellent opportunity to support both students and the wider community through pro bono legal work." - Volunteer Legal Adviser