Plymouth Law Clinic
Connected, relevant and real – providing legal guidance and advice to the public, and valuable experiences to students
You can call or email the Law Clinic to make an enquiry:
Telephone: +44 1752 585502
Email: lawclinic@plymouth.ac.uk
University of Plymouth
Room 105 and 106, Cookworthy Building,
Hampton Street,
Plymouth,
PL4 8AA
Find us on Google maps
There are several car parks within walking distance of the University and Clinic, namely Regent Street car park, Mayflower House Court, Mayflower Street East and Mayflower Street West. A full list of car parks and their locations can be found on the Plymouth City Council website.
The clinic is also accessible via numerous public transport routes, please refer to the Plymouth City Council website for details.
The University of Plymouth Law Clinic is coordinated by students and supervised by staff and practitioners. The Law clinic runs a variety of pro bono projects and offers real advice and representation to clients, making a genuine difference to people’s lives. At the same time the Law Clinic provides students with valuable skills, knowledge and experience of the law in practice.
Our film by Florence Browne showcases the fantastic work that the Law Clinic students undertake in the Plymouth Community, as well as the ways in which the work develops their skills and employability.
Law Clinic Awards
LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards
2020
Winners: Best Contribution by a Team of Students (in partnership with the British Red Cross)
Winners: Access to Justice Foundation Award
2019
Winners: Access to Justice Foundation Award
2018
Winners: Best Contribution by a Law School
Access to Justice Foundation Award: Plymouth Law Clinic 2020
Plymouth Law Clinic participated in a range of events across the South West, including an Access to Justice South West conference in collaboration with the Public Law Project and Plymouth Citizens Advice. Students have organised a variety of events to raise funds for the Access to Justice Foundation. Students have also developed partnerships with organisations such as Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service, the British Red Cross and Plymouth and Devon Race Equality Council.
Best contribution by a team of students: Plymouth Law Clinic and Red Cross partnership 2020
“This project is emotionally challenging for all who engage with it and the resilience and perseverance of this group of students has been noteworthy.”
Law students from Plymouth University have made an impressive contribution to the Refugee Family Reunion Law Clinic, which is run by the British Red Cross. Using interpreters, the nine students engage with clients in a kind and respectful manner and dedicate a significant number of hours to progressing refugee family reunion immigration applications under the supervision of Red Cross staff.
Eight students have also collaborated with the British Red Cross through the International Humanitarian Law teaching project to deliver lessons to pupils at Devonport High School for Girls. This project received very positive feedback from both pupils and teachers.
Awards and nominations
Proud Winners of the ‘Access to Justice Foundation Award’ at the annual LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2019.
‘Highly Commended Team of students’ for the Refugee and Family Reunion Project at the annual LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2019.
Winners of the 'Best Contribution by a Law School' at the annual LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2018.
These awards are huge achievements that reflect the fantastic work of the Clinic and the students and staff involved. Read more about the 2018 and 2019 awards.
Student experience
The Law Clinic is a key part of the Law School and can be an invaluable part of a student’s experience whilst studying at Plymouth.
Students gain an insight into law in practice and a chance to see how the law works in genuine settings by managing real cases.
This gives students greater responsibility and the confidence to manage their own projects while developing skills that are highly sought after by employers.
The ranges of skills developed include teamwork and leadership, file management and drafting, communication and advocacy.
Unusually for a Law School Clinic (subject to individual applications), the pro bono work we undertake is available to all students on qualifying law degree courses at the University of Plymouth.
To get involved in the Clinic you can either volunteer or undertake project work as part of an assessed module.
Please download the current Law Clinic handbook.
University of Plymouth Law Clinic and work based learning annual presentation evening
Each year Law Clinic students from across the Clinic’s projects give presentations to law staff and students and external organisations, showcasing the great work they have undertaken that year as part of the Clinic and through community partnerships.
The presentation event gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and experiences they have gained from working in the various Clinic projects, as well as to thank the local partnerships for their support.
Community Engagement
National campaign on refugee family reunion supported by the University of Plymouth and Red Cross partnership
The Refugee Family Reunion project in partnership with the British Red Cross, has contributed to a campaign to make it easier for refugees to be reunited with their families. A group from Plymouth’s Refugee Family Reunion project travelled to Westminster to take part in a parliamentary event, organised by the British Red Cross, to support the Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill that seeks to relax the strict rules around family reunion.
The foundations for a career in law
"Since completing my LLB (Hons) Law I have managed to get a job in the legal profession, working within conveyancing. In my interview at Nash & Co I was able to state that I can meet with clients, take telephone calls, draft documents and other such tasks because it was something that I had done during my time at the Law Clinic. They were very impressed in my interview that I was able to do so much, and I would not have had these skills had I not been a part of the Law Clinic."
