University of Bristol Law clinic celebrates its 30th anniversary

The legal service, the University of Bristol law clinic celebrates its 30th year in action.

Founded in 1995, the clinic encouraged law students to do voluntary work for people who could not afford legal services. The clinic was created by Professor Donald Nicholson who had previous experience working with clients in apartheid South Africa.

In a BBC article, Donald said: “The Bristol students showed me what you can do with enthusiasm and skills, and so I’m very proud of that,”

He believes the charges against the homeless man that influenced him to start the clinic, were dropped, adding: “Whatever his fate, I suppose, he had a positive impact on lots of other people for decades since.”

Image via Google Maps

Success of the legal service:

Chloe Wilson, a former volunteer, told the BBC that she helped in a jury inquest for a client whose father had died after being restrained by shop workers.

She said: “It was a very serious case and not something students would typically get the opportunity to handle.

“[The family] did give me – at the end of the inquest – a little thank you card.

“They said they were able to move forwards with their lives which was really, really touching.”

She also told the BBC the law clinics help students understand their responsibility to “help people who find themselves in situations through no fault of their own”.

John Peake, current director of the clinic, said to the BBC the clinic was necessary as “lower-level problems” are usually harder to get help with.

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He explained: “Housing disputes, benefit problems – those sorts of things where there are fewer lawyers to help with those sort of situations.”

Here’s to 30 years more!