About us

 

The need for a free legal advice service aimed specifically for students was first considered by Natalie Carless and Sarah Walker in early 2008. Sarah and Natalie contacted numerous free legal advice services deliberating ideas about how to put the concept into reality. The duo got a fellow pro bono enthusiast on board in the form of Emily Whyte. Richard Penton then joined the team in October 2008. They put together a basic concept and invited potential volunteers and sponsoring law firms to a presentation of the concept. Law firms in all shapes and sizes from theExeterarea were in attendance, including high street, regional and international firms.

There the team met with James McNally from Slee Blackwell who had arrived a few years earlier from the dark and satanic mills ofYorkshire. The bond was formed. A few months later publicity inExeterhad commenced and a website was in development. It was a learning process as the first calls came in, but the bumps and niggles were soon smoothed out.

Student-Law.co.uk was joined in December 2010 by Katherine King and Duncan Gorst as Secretary and Publicity/Technical Officer respectively. The website was given a complete revamp by Duncan Gorst and we were underway.

 

Our Aims

Although aimed and primarily run by students, Student-Law.co.uk is committed to ensuring what they do meets the highest possible standards. It is important for all those involved that the service they provide maintains a reputation for quality and integrity.

We never forget that we are dealing with people in difficult situations who cannot afford to pay for legal advice. The fact that the assistance we give is free shouldn’t mean that it isn’t professional and with this in mind we aim to have the best possible insight and expertise in our practice areas. We ensure that all queries are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

We take time in choosing the volunteers involved in Student-Law. It isn’t enough that they might be free on a Wednesday to deal with a call. Our teams are made up of the very best people and all of our volunteers are enthusiastic about the project and about the Student-law service. Student-law is a genuine team project involving students from universities across the country and they share information and knowledge. At all times they have the support from their friends on the team as well as qualified legal professionals to make sure the help they give is the best for the situation.

Importantly as those involved are (or once were) students we understand the needs of those seeking our assistance. We understand the stresses and strains they are under and the importance of providing sensible and easy to follow solutions. Our approach is informal

For those involved Student-law offers an invaluable insight into the practical application of the law, in particular legal research and case management skills. Through Student-Law, students can learn skills about client care and practical problem solving that they won’t get from a text book or a lecture. They will gain a greater insight into life in the legal profession and gain experience which hopefully they’ll be able to put into practice in their chosen career.

Everyone involved is proud to be a part of Student-law and work hard to ensure it continues to be a success.

The Student-law volunteers are:

Natalie Carless   Sarah Walker   Emily Whyte   Richard Penton

Katherine King   Luke Grimes   Will Barnes   Duncan Gorst