Leeds Law School partners with charity Support Through Court to provide free legal assistance

Leeds Law School at Leeds Beckett University has partnered with Support Through Court, a charity that provides free legal assistance and information to litigants who cannot afford vital legal services.

The partnership will enable Support Through Court to continue its life-changing work in Leeds and West Yorkshire, by being based at Leeds Beckett University and involving students and academics from Leeds Law School in their essential activity.

Students from Leeds Beckett will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience through the partnership, allowing them to provide legal support to those going through the civil and family court system.

They will do so through a telephone service, face-to-face appointments, and attending court hearings, all of which will help them develop essential skills necessary to work in the legal field.

This will have a significant impact on the local community, by extending capacity on the essential services offered by Support Through Court and helping those navigating the civil and family courts without legal representation.

Professor Deveral Capps, dean of Leeds Law School, said: “I am delighted that Leeds Beckett University can assist in the very important work Support Through Court does. Over the course of the next five years, Leeds Law School will provide student volunteers, telephone facilities and face-to-face meeting spaces to help members of the public get free information and legal help.”

Emma Taylor, interim chief executive officer for support through court, said: “Cuts to our services and the rising cost of living mean that our support is needed more than ever before.

“This is an exciting partnership and I look forward to seeing how the new service will develop in Leeds as we work with Leeds Law School to provide practical and emotional support to more people going through court alone as litigants in person.”

Dr Rachel Dunn, course director of pro bono and employability at Leeds Law School, said: “We are very excited to be working with Support Through Court in this new partnership, which will create many opportunities and benefits to our students and the wider community. To provide this service from Leeds Beckett University is a privilege and demonstrates the strength of our social justice ethos.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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