Law students from St Mary’s School of Law are to help people appearing at the civil and family courts without representation under a new partnership with national charity Support Through Court.
Under the partnership students will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience, helping with a telephone service, face-to-face appointments, and attending hearings at the Royal Courts of Justice, all of which will help them develop essential skills necessary to work in the legal field.
Emma Taylor, chief executive officer for Support Through Court, said: ‘The rising cost of living means that our support is needed more than ever before, whilst also making our services harder to deliver without new partnerships and supporters. We look forward to working with the university to provide practical and emotional support to more people going through Central Family Court.'
Charley Dugdale of the School of Law at St Mary's University said the partnership would provide students with invaluable real-world experience of the court system, enhancing their practical skills and understanding of the judicial process. 'This collaboration not only supports students’ academic journey, but also helps to foster a sense of social responsibility, supporting members of the local community through the complexities of the court system.’
Support Through Court, founded in 2001 as the Personal Support Unit, has more than 600 volunteers providing practical and emotional support, but not legal advice, to litigants in person.
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