An innovative partnership making free legal advice more accessible in Bath is to be championed during Pro Bono Week.
Run by Bath-headquartered national law firm Stone King, Bath Spa University and Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), the Bath Law Clinic involves lawyers from Stone King offering initial advice supported by Bath Spa students, who gain valuable work experience in the process.
Stone King is also funding a co-ordinator to oversee the clinic.
Legal areas covered include family, employment and immigration, with appointments taking place online.
Demand for the clinic continues to be high and is expected to grow further as the cost of living crisis grows.
The clinic’s work is being celebrated in Pro Bono Week, which runs from 7 – 11 November and recognises and supports the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK in giving free legal help to those in need.
Stone King managing partner Steven Greenwood, pictured, said it was very important that people received excellent legal advice and the firm was happy to facilitate this through the Bath Law Clinic.
“I would like to thank all our lawyers for giving their time to support local residents with initial free legal advice,” he added.
“Our family team in particular have been very busy with appointments and I am proud that so many of our people are helping this invaluable clinic.”
Bath Spa senior lecturer and LLB course leader Steve Goulton, pictured, said: “We believe our unique partnership with Stone King and Citizens Advice B&NES will give local citizens much needed support in unprecedented times as well as giving real world legal experience to our students.
“We believe it is essential to expose our students to legal skills and clinical legal education has been woven into our curriculum design for the benefit of the students and for the wider community of Bath and North East Somerset.”
Citizens Advice B&NES chief executive Simon Lawson, pictured, said the cost of living crisis and the after-effects of the pandemic meant the need for pro-bono legal advice was greater than ever.
“We hope that this partnership will enable us to offer more people much-needed legal advice, but also that students will both learn from and contribute to the work of Stone King's legal team, to the benefit of everyone who attends the clinic,” he said.
“We are grateful to both Stone King and Bath Spa University for working with us on this exciting initiative."
Appointments for the Bath Law Clinic can be made by calling Citizens Advice expert advisers at 0808 278 7879.
For general queries and advice, visit Citizens Advice Bath And North East Somerset
