Maximizing Access to Justice and Legal Education Through University Law Clinics and Pro Bono Initiatives

Abstract

 There have been many changes to the legal aid system in England and Wales over the last 50 years, causing a significant and deleterious impact on the legal system and on individuals' ability to access justice. Many people cannot afford to fund their own legal representation or simply do not know whether they have a case and/or if they have one, how to proceed. Leeds Beckett University’s pro bono law clinic operates at the intersection of legal education and social justice, striving to bridge the gap between the increasing demand for free legal assistance and the limited resources available to provide it. This paper explores how Leeds Law School amplifies its local impact: by providing the community with free legal advice through its law clinic; by developing a strategic partnership with the national charity Support Through Court; by lobbying government for political change; and all whilst simultaneously training and equipping law students with practical legal skills and confidence. 

This article will first provide a short history of Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Law School, before explaining how the law clinic, Support Through Court, and other pro bono opportunities operate in the significantly constrained publicly funded sector of Higher Education to achieve significant and cost-effective outcomes for both students and the community. This article will also discuss the challenges faced, including the unmet legal services need and balancing service provision with primary educational goals.