Free legal advice is to be given by University of Sussex law students during a five-week pilot project beginning in February.

The Family Law Clinic aims to provide a public service to local people who seek legal advice but are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.

Working with experts within the University’s law department, the students will be giving advice on a range of matters that affect families – from divorce and separation issues, to financial and co-habitation concerns. 

The pilot is part of a larger initiative, Sussex Clinical Legal Education (SCLE), which aims to provide a variety of pro-bono (not for profit) projects that will benefit the local community and give students vital experience of law in practice.

Dr John Jupp, who is leading the Family Law Clinic, said: “This is a real opportunity for the local community to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our staff whilst also giving our students invaluable experience in developing their interview skills.”

The Family Law Clinic is the first of these projects, with the pilot running from 01 February until 14 March (2016). The Clinic will offer clients 30-minute interviews at Sussex Law School on the University’s Falmer campus every Wednesday between 3pm and 7pm.  The Clinic is expected to launch in full in September.

Other future SCLE projects will aim to provide free legal assistance in matters such as housing and welfare, employment, environmental law, creative industries, street law and immigration and asylum.

Notes for editors

For more information about Sussex Family Clinic, see www.sussex.ac.uk/law/cle

or call 01273 876797

University of Sussex Media Relations:  Jacqui Bealing and James Hakner.  Tel 01273 678888. Email press@sussex.ac.uk