Members of the Society will recall that last year Wolverhampton University in collaboration with the City Council and the Mander Centre set up a “Law Shop”. Housed within a vacant retail unit on the ground floor of Wolverhampton’s flagship shopping centre the scheme ran as a successful pilot and the University is now looking to place it on a firmer footing.
An integral part of the service to be offered will be legal clinics similar to those which used to be provided at smaller CABs some years ago. It is envisioned that the clinics will be staffed by students and volunteers including, it is hoped, members of the Wolverhampton Law Society. The primary function of the clinics will be diagnostic together with appropriate sign-posting to more specialised advisors in other sectors be they legal (such as local solicitors), local authority help and advice (eg Trading Standards) and other organisations that assist in resolving day to day legal problems.
Introducing the initiative the Associate Dean at the University’s School of Law, Social Services and Communications, Lynn Leighton-Johnstone said:-
“ With reductions in legal aid funding in the pipeline and the added pressures the Recession has placed upon ordinary people there is a real risk that many will be denied access to justice. I hope that The Law Clinic will become a resource that the people of Wolverhampton and surrounding areas can turn to for practical help in finding solutions to the legal issues that arise in day-to-day life. The participation of Members of the Wolverhampton Law Society would not only enhance the level of service that could be offered but would send out a clear message that the legal profession in Wolverhampton is there to provide support to the wider community.”
In the first instance expressions of interest are sought from member firms of the Wolverhampton Law Society based upon a commitment from each to provide support for a clinic on one afternoon per month.
Those interested are invited to contact Nick Wynn-Williams by e-mail at nwynnwilliams@reespage.co.uk
An integral part of the service to be offered will be legal clinics similar to those which used to be provided at smaller CABs some years ago. It is envisioned that the clinics will be staffed by students and volunteers including, it is hoped, members of the Wolverhampton Law Society. The primary function of the clinics will be diagnostic together with appropriate sign-posting to more specialised advisors in other sectors be they legal (such as local solicitors), local authority help and advice (eg Trading Standards) and other organisations that assist in resolving day to day legal problems.
Introducing the initiative the Associate Dean at the University’s School of Law, Social Services and Communications, Lynn Leighton-Johnstone said:-
“ With reductions in legal aid funding in the pipeline and the added pressures the Recession has placed upon ordinary people there is a real risk that many will be denied access to justice. I hope that The Law Clinic will become a resource that the people of Wolverhampton and surrounding areas can turn to for practical help in finding solutions to the legal issues that arise in day-to-day life. The participation of Members of the Wolverhampton Law Society would not only enhance the level of service that could be offered but would send out a clear message that the legal profession in Wolverhampton is there to provide support to the wider community.”
In the first instance expressions of interest are sought from member firms of the Wolverhampton Law Society based upon a commitment from each to provide support for a clinic on one afternoon per month.
Those interested are invited to contact Nick Wynn-Williams by e-mail at nwynnwilliams@reespage.co.uk
