Legal Clinic

Welcome to the University of Brighton Legal Clinic

The University of Brighton Legal Clinic is part of Brighton Law School at the University of Brighton.

An optional programme offered to our final-year and postgraduate law students, our clinic provides a pro bono service where our student clinicians, supervised by academics and by qualified legal advisers, provide free legal advice in a variety of fields (including employment law, housing law,  family law and commercial law).

Legal supervision is offered by some of our legal team here at Brighton Law School, as well as by external solicitors and barristers.

The clinic aims to provide assistance to our community in the light of the cuts for legal aid whilst providing our law students with valuable practical legal experience to develop the skills needed in their present and / or future careers.

Contact us

If you wish to contact the University of Brighton Legal Clinic team, please email: brightonlegalclinic@brighton.ac.uk.

Disclaimer

The University of Brighton Legal Clinic is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, but we follow the same standard of service and ethical obligations expected in the practice of law.

Rules of confidentiality apply to all work undertaken at our legal clinic, including interviews.

Who are we?

Meet the University of Brighton Legal Clinic team

Jane Woods

Clinic Director

Jane is our Clinic Director who is also a legal supervisor, specialising in Commercial Law.

Jane Woods

Auréliane Walker

Deputy Clinic Director

Auréliane is our Deputy Clinic Director who is also a legal supervisor, specialising in Family Law.

Aureliane Walker

Victor Rinaldi

Clinic Administrator and Interim Supervisor

Victor is our Clinic Administrator and Interim Supervisor. He is also one of our Brighton Law School alumni. 

Victor Rinaldi

Legal supervisors

Legal supervisors and their areas of expertise:

  • Ketan Jha (Contract and Environmental Law)
  • Gillian Keenan (Employment Law)
  • Auréliane Walker (Family Law)
  • Gillian Williams (Housing Law)
  • Jane Woods (Commercial Law)
  • Jo Smith (Family Law, Criminal Law)
Postgraduate law students in class

What do we offer our community and clients?

The University of Brighton Legal Clinic provides pro-bono (free) legal services and support to our communities.

Do you need free legal advice?

We offer a range of free legal advice that is delivered by volunteer University of Brighton law students, with guidance from qualified lawyers.

Our advice services are provided predominantly online but in-centre appointments may be available, on a case by case basis.

Contact us

If you wish to contact the University of Brighton Legal Clinic team, please email: brightonlegalclinic@brighton.ac.uk.

How can our legal clinic help?

We offer the following areas of law and practice, but please contact us if you do not see an example that matches your situation exactly.

Business law

For example:

  • You need help with small business set up.
  • You want to protect your intellectual property.
  • You need some terms and conditions for your business.
  • You need help drafting policies and practice documentation. 
Two business women signing a contract

Employment law

For example:

  • You have been discriminated at work.
  • You are a victim of bullying and harassment.
  • You have been unfairly dismissed from your job.
  • You are being asked to work very far from home.
  • You are being paid less than your colleague who is the opposite sex.
service purchase agreement contract and hard hats

Equality Act claims

For example:

  • You have a complaint about unfair discrimination, victimisation or harassment by a public body such as a council or college.
female student with friends at festival

Family law

For example:

  • You need help with your divorce.
  • You need protection from an ex-partner.
  • You have not seen your children and want to establish contact.
  • You need help with an elderly relative. 
two women and a baby in an office

Housing

For example:

  • You have been unlawfully evicted.
  • You are living in very poor conditions such as persistent mould.
  • Your landlord is harassing and bullying you.
  • You have split up with a partner and wish to know your rights regarding your joint tenancy agreement.

Planning

For example:

  • You wish to challenge a planning decision.
  • You are part of a community group challenging a local plan.
Poster with words There is no planet B

Welfare and support payments

For example:

  • You have been refused universal credit.
  • You have been deemed to have no recourse to public funds.
  • Your disability claim for financial assistance has failed.
social security form

Areas of law we don't advise on

Please note, these areas of law we don't advise on: 

  • Equality
  • Welfare
  • Charity
  • Immigration
  • Probate
  • Crime
  • Debt management
  • Any claims or disputes with or against educational organisations

Other ways to seek legal advice

If the clinic cannot advise you on the area of law you need, please see the alternative sources for free legal advice in your local area:

Does the issue involve the local authority or social services?

If yes, you may be eligible for legal aid to support your case. Please visit Resolution or:

 

Are you eligible for free legal assistance?

You can access our services without charge if you meet the below criteria:

  • You must not be eligible for Legal Aid – If you are unsure of your eligibility, please use the Legal Aid calculator
  • You must have a legal problem that fits within the areas of law we are able to advise on
  • You must not be receiving legal advice or assistance from any other provider
  • You have not started legal proceedings

Each case will be reviewed and assessed individually to ensure we can advise you. Not all cases can be reviewed, depending upon the field, issues, timelines and court proceedings.

We may require further information from you prior to making a final decision as to whether the clinic can take on your case.

Business students working on a project

FAQs

  1. What standard of service can I expect?
  2. How quickly will I receive advice?
  3. Will I be charged?
  4. Is the service confidential?
  5. Can you represent me in court?
  6. I have a disability and/or specific access needs. Can you still assist me?
  7. My case is urgent – can you help me?

1. What standard of service can I expect?

Our student clinicians are trained by our management team and supervised throughout our client interview sessions by fully qualified lawyers who are experts in their field(s).

2. How quickly will I receive advice?

There is huge demand for free legal advice. All queries are important to us, but the timescale is dependent on the area of law and the availability of supervisors. More guidance will be provided when you contact our clinic.

3. Will I be charged?

There is no charge for the legal clinic.

4. Is the service confidential?

All students and staff are required to sign a commitment to confidentiality. During our sessions, our student clinicians will remind you of the confidentiality of the interview.

5.Can you represent me in court?

No. Our services are limited to provision of advice only.

6. I have a disability and/or specific access needs. Can you still assist me?

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a disability or any specific access needs. We will do our utmost to make adjustments to suit your needs.

Email: brightonlegalclinic@brighton.ac.uk  

All of our services are completely confidential so we will not disclose your disability/access needs to anyone outside of the University of Brighton Legal Clinic.

7. My case is urgent – can you help me?

Unfortunately there is a huge demand for free legal advice  and as a result, we may be unable to provide legal services at short notice.

Students studying together in Elm House

Contact us

If you wish to seek assistance from the University of Brighton Legal Clinic, please email brightonlegalclinic@brighton.ac.uk.

Please note, University of Brighton Legal Clinic's services operate in line with the university's academic term dates between October and March, with a reduced service provided between March and September. We may be able to refer you to other organisations that can help you, once we've received your enquiry we'll consider the relevant referral details for you.

For new and existing cases and other matters, please email brightonlegalclinic@brighton.ac.uk.

If you do not have any internet access (for non-urgent matters), you can contact the office for the School of Business and Law on 01273 642135 who will pass on your contact details to the team - you do not need to share any details of your legal enquiry.

Or you can write to us at the below address:
University of Brighton Legal Clinic
University of Brighton,
Elm House,
Lewes Road,
Brighton,
BN2 4NU