A legal service founded through a university and staffed by law students has rebranded to reflect its expansion in services provided. The Legal Advice Centre at Nottingham Law School has been renamed NLS Legal to reflect its status more accurately as a regulated law firm.
Set up as an alternative business structure in 2015 – the first so-called ‘teaching law firm’ of its kind – the service is supervised by a small team of experienced lawyers and provides hundreds of work experience opportunities to Nottingham Law School students every year.
The firm now assists on areas including employment, family, housing, business, civil litigation, intellectual property, special educational needs and welfare benefits, as well as hosting a number of public legal education sessions each year to raise awareness of legal rights.
The head of NLS Legal, Laura Pinkney, a former director of national firm Cartwright King, said: ‘When we launched as an ABS, we were the only firm of its type in the UK and this model remains rare both in the UK and internationally. As a law firm with a difference, we pride ourselves on providing high quality legal services, promoting access to justice and supporting the development of our students.
‘We now offer such a full range of support covering many areas of the law that we felt the time was right for a name change to reflect the services we offer as a fully regulated not-for-profit law firm.’
Under the model, students provide administrative and management support to the firm, such as dealing with new enquiries and being involved in monitoring risk and compliance. They can also be involved with research, drafting, client interviewing and representing clients at tribunal or court.
The service is aimed at those that are unable to afford, or unable to access, legal services and the team has secured financial awards totalling more than £5.5m, advising on average 150 clients a year.
NLS Legal is a company limited by guarantee with its sole member being Nottingham Trent University. The university covers the costs of all the property, assets, staffing and other services required by the centre through an annual grant.
Pinkney explained last year that continuing operations during lockdown was a challenge, as students had previously only been permitted to undertake client work when physically present in the centre. The service implemented ‘robust’ new processes, policies and procedures, particularly around ensuring client confidentiality.
‘Our clients are often vulnerable, so stopping or severely reducing our service was not an option, she said. ‘If anything, the pandemic has only sought to compound access to justice issues, leaving more people unable to afford, or access, legal advice and assistance.’
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