MARCH 2021
FOCUS
UoB Law Clinic opens for business remotely
By KATY LELLIOTT
T
he University of Bedfordshire’s legal clinic is open for business remotely this spring, providing free legal advice to the public. The Law Clinic is a student-led service that has been running since 2015. It offers members of the public free advice and legal support on matters of housing, consumer and employment law. While the service is usually offered in person at both the Luton and Bedford campuses, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has meant that the Law Clinic will now operate as a remote service for the time being. The general public can email their queries to lawclinic@beds.ac.uk or contact 07702 338684. Those seeking legal advice should provide full details
of their query in the email or voice message, including supporting evidence and a contact number. These queries will then be addressed and responded to on 10th and 24th March. Samira Hussain, Senior Tutor in Law and the University’s Law Clinic Coordinator, hopes that clients will make use of this service. She said: “The Law Clinic offers an invaluable service to the community, allowing our students the opportunity to practically apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their Law LLB (Hons) courses to help others.” The clinic allows students studying Law to gain important practical experience of handling public queries on matters relating to housing, consumer and
employment law, supported by a team of trained staff and other local service providers. Steve McPeake, Acting Head of Department of Law and Finance, believes that one of the great things about the Law Clinic is the way it encourages students to engage with the local community. He said: “I feel it is imperative for the Law team, students and department to engage with the community in which it is set. “Being able to continue that contact and engagement online during the pandemic is crucial so that we are there to support our community on issues that still impact and effect everyone regardless.” To find out more information about the Law Clinic and the services they offer, visit: Beds.ac.uk/ lawclinic.
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