York
Pro bono
Pro bono – why do it?
We believe the best way to learn is by practical real life experience and our students’ success in being both nominated and receiving a number of pro bono awards is testimony of this.
Take advantage at York of the opportunity not only to enhance your own legal skills and improve your career prospects but also to help provide a service to the local community.
- Improve your team working and communication skills, research, draft and advise with our support
- Follow office procedures used in practice – transferable to any future office environment
If you are thinking of studying with us and have further questions about pro bono after reading the information below, please e-mail y.probono@lawcol.co.uk
If you are a current student, please access the pro bono pages for York on the my centre tab of Elite.
What opportunities do we offer?
Schemes run throughout the region:-
Legal Advice Clinics
The LACs offer clients legal advice in the form of a letter. We work in partnership with external agencies offering services to clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Castlegate York - a service for young people
- Doncaster Women’s Centre (DWC) - a service for women
- IDAS York - a service for people experiencing domestic abuse
- New Beginnings Doncaster - a service for people recovering from substance abuse
- E-mail advice service - for those who do not live in the area
What do you do?
- Working in pairs you interview the client to identify issues and research the law
- Draft a letter of advice to send to the client within 21 days of instructions being taken
- All work is supervised and you’ll cover a wide range of legal queries
Get your work published!
- Contribute articles to a regular publication in Doncaster
- Help produce leaflets for partner agencies
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Streetlaw (GDL Practice Related Activity choice)
Increase your awareness of legal rights and responsibilities within the community by getting involved in Streetlaw. Our students have given presentations to community groups within:
- HM Prison Doncaster
- Schools
- The Foyer - accommodation for vulnerable 16-25 year olds
- Residents and community groups
What do you do?
- Work in teams of 4 with community groups to identify legal concerns and produce interactive workshops and presentations
- Acquire legal research, client care, drafting, file management and team work skills
- Improve your presentation/communication techniques
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Shadowing schemes
HARP and Leeds duty solicitor scheme
These schemes ensure that tenants and home owners facing possession proceedings receive free advice and representation. Working in partnership with the Housing Advice Resource Project in York and solicitors in Leeds you can shadow advocates who are on the Duty Possession schemes at York and Leeds County Courts.
- Shadow the advocates at court
- Observe them taking instructions, advising and representing in court
District Judge shadowing
- Shadow District Judges at York County Court
Criminal shadowing scheme
- Shadow Sean Hutton, Associate Professor at The College in York
- See Sean in action as part of the duty solicitor scheme in Harrogate and accompany him at the police station and court
Your day in court
- Get involved in a challenge in the Crown Court
- Work in partnership with local schools, a Crown Court Judge and the court staff
Bar Mock Trial
- Assist a school team competing in the National Bar Mock trial
- Offer coaching and mentoring at the school and support and advice on the day at Leeds Crown Court
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