University of Plymouth Law Clinic

Connected, relevant and real – providing legal guidance and advice to the public, and valuable experiences to students
The Law Clinic.   Lembi Ilsjan www.lembiilsjan.com
If your group or organisation would like a workshop on a specific legal area, please contact Rosie Brennan to discuss whether we might be able to help.
The Law Clinic,
Endsleigh Place,
University of Plymouth,
Drake Circus,
PL4 6DN
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.
Campus maps (Location 19)

About us

The Law Clinic offers real advice and assistance to clients in the Plymouth community, across a range of legal areas. Coordinated by law students and supervised by staff - the clinic provides hands on experience for our students and provides a vital service to the local community.
Our story, your story:This short film by Florence Browne showcases the fantastic work our Law Clinic students undertake with our local community partners.
The Law Clinic window display by Lembi Ilsjan

Welcoming and professional

The Law Clinic is situated on our main city centre campus, offering a welcoming and professional space to meet with students and staff.
You'll find sound proof booths, to allow for private discussions to take place in a confidential and safe environment, a large modern space for teaching, community events and workshops, and beautiful window designs created by artist Lembi Ilsjan – inspired by her time completing a BA in Illustration at the University of Plymouth.
 

What we offer the community

Our clinics

Our projects

 

Award winning

The Law Clinic is extremely proud that the hard work of the students, staff and partners has been recognised for a number of prestigious awards. In the last three years alone, The Law Clinic has won multiple awards at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards.
Shortlisted for Best New Pro Bono Activity – Welfare Law Clinic, University of Plymouth in 2024
Shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Law School – University of Plymouth Law Clinic in 2024
Shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Team of Students – Immigration and Refugee Family Reunion Law Clinic, University of Plymouth in 2023
Shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Law School – University of Plymouth Law Clinic in 2023
 
 
 

What we offer students

Student experience

Students are offered a fantastic experiential dimension to the undergraduate Law degrees available at The University of Plymouth, through working with real cases and clients in the community at our Law Clinic .
Students have the opportunity to
  • gain a valuable insight into law in practice through first-hand experience of managing real cases and clients
  • undertake public legal education projects, research, interdisciplinary activities and work with community partner organisations
  • develop key transferable skills including teamwork, leadership and communication which will equip them for any career
Students giving legal advice to the public inside the University of Plymouth Law Clinic

I have seen first-hand the significant legal challenges many people face and how disruptive they can be. These are then all too frequently compounded by their inability to access legal advice due to the growing legal aid deserts we face. This makes the work of organisations like University of Plymouth Law Clinic that are at the frontline of tackling these issues, by providing quality legal advice to those who need it, a vital resource. Thank you to the staff and volunteers involved in the Clinic for the hard work they do to widen access to justice day in, day out.

Richard Atkinson
President of the Law Society of England and Wales
Law Society President Richard Atkinson visiting the University of Plymouth's Law Clinic
Law Society President Richard Atkinson visiting the University of Plymouth's Law Clinic

It was inspiring to see the great work that is taking place at the University of Plymouth Law Clinic. It was clear how the Clinic had not just helped provide access to justice for the community, but also opened up many invaluable opportunities for the University’s students. These include mentoring opportunities and a student-led Law Society. The students in attendance had a clear passion for law and it was inspiring to see them leading the way in encouraging the next generation of legal professionals to enter the sector and pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career in law.

Will Graves
Membership Engagement Manager, The Law Society
Nick Emerson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, touring the University of Plymouth's Law Clinic with students
Nick Emerson (sixth from left), President of the Law Society of England and Wales, visiting the Law Clinic with staff and students
Students and staff from the Law Clinic with British Red Cross staff at the charity's centre in Plymouth.

Community impact

Education and community engagement is at the very heart of what we do at the Law Clinic. Across our clinics and projects, practitioners and students provide legal support in a variety of ways. Three key elements of our work include
  • Individual legal advice and information
  • Public legal education in partnership with the local community
  • Collaboration with community partners to build a strong local network of support and advice
We couldn’t do it alone. Our incredible community partners help make this work possible. Together, the impact of our work is able to reach far and wide within the multitude of communities in Plymouth.
Displacement Studies Network

Interdisciplinary Learning

The quality and reach of our work benefits from accessing a wide pool of skills and expertise. The local community contributes hugely to expanding that pool, but we also draw on the diversity of knowledge and perspectives across different departments within our university.
We are connected with
Jasmine Galvin

The Law Clinic enabled me to find a practice area I was truly passionate about. I have always been incredibly grateful for the transferable skills I gained. I cannot recommend volunteering at the clinic highly enough. Not only did it open doors into my career, I also made friends and contacts who still offer support and encouragement.

Jasmin Galvin 
LLB (Hons) Law student 
 

Research

The community-based work and projects carried out by the Law Clinic provide a range of opportunities to conduct valuable research and to contribute to policy making.
Impact research allows us to regularly assess the effectiveness of our work on both the community and students.
Pedagogic research enables us to look at how our innovative work-based learning modules sit within the greater framework of higher education and employability.

Student Knowledge Exchange Project

The Law Clinic was one of several initiatives supported by the Engaging Students in Knowledge Exchange project (ESiKE) led by The Bridge . Building on existing and highly successful KE projects within the University of Plymouth, ESiKE focused on identifying and overcoming barriers to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), quantifying benefits for students and partners, improving graduate skills, employability and career outcomes and sharing insights with the sector.
 

Join the conversation

Staff

Visiting Specialists

  • Waleed Mahgoub Abdallah – Visiting specialist from Cornwall Council

    Waleed Mahgoub Abdallah

  • Hadelzein Elobeid - Visiting specialist from Plymouth City Council

    Hadelzein Elobeid

  • The Law Clinic. David Feindouno - Visiting specialist from the Red Cross

    David Feindouno

  • Isatta Sarah Kallon - Visiting specialist from the Red Cross

    Isatta Sarah Kallon

  • Julia O'Hara

    Julia O'Hara

  • Andy Phippen

    Professor Andy Phippen