lawworks developing closer links between advice agencies and solicitors patrick cahill clinics...
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LawWorksDeveloping closer links between advice agencies and solicitors
Patrick Cahill
Clinics Development Officer
About LawWorks
• Independent national charity
• Formed in 1997
• Brokerage organisation
• Last 12 months• Over 45,000 people helped• 400 community groups advised• Value over £4 million
LawWorks Membership
• Over 100 firms and in-house teams• Forums and Round Tables• Newsletters• Consultancy and Brokerage• Awards• Insurance in some cases• CPD accredited training
Projects Include…
• LawWorks Clinics and training
• Casework – for individuals, community groups and mediation
• Free Law Direct
• Students
What is a Legal Advice Clinic?
• No
Free
Volunteer
lawyers
advice
Students/university
Advice agency
Community Centre
Legal
Essentially it is any sort of free legal advice session staffed by volunteer lawyers who provide free advice to the public
Why pro bono?
Learn new skillsAcquire new knowledgeMake a contribution to your local areaPersonal satisfaction and professional
developmentDevelop and foster relations with local
advice agencies
How can solicitors get involved?
Volunteering legal skills
Referrals
Training
Awareness
Case Study One
Northampton CAB
Who’s Involved?.
Northampton CAB
Solicitor volunteers come from local law firms, supported by law students from the University of Northampton.
How are solicitors involved?
•After a prior assessment solicitors volunteer on a rota basis •Solicitors give face-to-face advice or write a letter after the clinic•Solicitors refer clients to other agencies
Case Study Two
Own it-IP Advice
Who’s Involved?
University of the Arts, London
Solicitor volunteers come from local law firms
How are solicitors involved?•The Own-It IP clinics are for business whose annual turnover is below £100,000•Solicitors provide IP specific advice
Case Study Three
Birmingham Legal Advice Clinic
Who’s Involved?
Birmingham Central Library
Solicitor volunteers come from three local law firms
How are solicitors involved?•Solicitors volunteer on a rota basis at the library from their law firm•Solicitors give face-to-face advice or write a letter after the clinic•Solicitors refer clients to other agencies•Areas covered include debt, contract Law, consumer Law and housing
There are lots of other type of clinic too…
Business
advice only
Immigration help only
Telephone advice line clinic
A clinic at your law firm
Providing advice session presentations at a local agency
Concerns?
Commitment
Knowledge
Insurance
Conflicts
ARE ALL OBSTACLES WHICH CAN BE OVERCOME AND WHICH LAWWORKS CAN HELP YOU WITH AND
PROVIDE ADVICE ON
DON’T WORRY
LawWorks Clinics Network
• Support and guidance for range of models• Free initial advice • Over 120 clinics around the country• General advice and more specialised.• Legal surgery for individuals and/or not for
profits• Training for lawyers
– CPD accredited– Available online
