The University of Greenwich, Legal Advice Centre is a free hybrid law clinic run by the School of Law & Criminology.
The University of Greenwich, Legal Advice Centre is a free hybrid law clinic run by the School of Law & Criminology. It has been established to enable students studying law at the University to obtain practical legal experience.
We provide a professional service. Clients meet with volunteer lawyers who are shadowed by students from our law programmes. Those students are first recruited and trained as student advisers and then supervised, throughout, by the Centre’s solicitor and supported by the administrator.
We are always looking for new volunteers. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved with the Legal Advice Centre and:
- Are a solicitor or barrister with at least 3 years' PQE
- Work within one of our practice areas (employment law, family law, or housing law)
What service can the Centre offer?
We provide an “Advice Only” service. This means that we cannot represent you or undertake casework on your behalf. We can, however, offer you a further appointment at our discretion; this will depend on the circumstances of your case. We cannot guarantee that you are seen by the same group who initially advised you.
What will it cost?
The service we provide is free. However, you should be aware of the following points:
- You may be eligible for legal aid, and if you are the Centre may refer you to other solicitors who offer this service. We do not provide recommendations to firms. If you are eligible for legal aid, you may be liable to pay a contribution. You may also be liable to repay your costs from any money or property recovered
- If you decide to pursue legal proceedings, you may be ordered to pay the costs of your opponent if you lose your case
- The Centre cannot brief barristers on your behalf
- If your gross income is above £50,000, it is unlikely that we will be able to offer you an appointment. This is because we will prioritise enquiries from those on low incomes so that we meet our aim to provide Access to Justice.
Insurance
The Centre has insurance cover provided by the University's Insurers. If the Centre is negligent in the handling of your case, you will be covered by this insurance and we will be under a duty to advise you of the possibility of a claim should such circumstances arise.
What if I wish to make a complaint?
We hope you will be satisfied with the service provided by the Centre. If you have a concern about your case, in the first instance, you should write to Beverley Witter, the Supervising Lawyer, who will deal your complaint. If you are dissatisfied with her response, or your complaint concerns the service delivered by the Supervising Lawyer, you can request that the matter be investigated by the Head of the Department of Law at the University of Greenwich. Once your complaint has been investigated you can contact the Legal Ombudsman if you remain dissatisfied. Further details will be given on request.