Streetlaw at Sussex One Year On: Where did we come from, how far did we get and where are we going?

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the broader clinical legal education movement and the employability agenda in the context of a UK law degree, this article reflects on the experience of introducing a Street law (“StreetLaw”) programme into the curriculum at the University of Sussex. Drawing on the findings of a small-scale research study, this article explores the value of StreetLaw in community and educational settings from the perspectives of the undergraduate students participating, and the organisational partners. Themes include building community relationships; ‘giving back’; access to justice; professional skills development, and embedding learning in a real-world context. Alongside this, in step with the widespread recognition of the importance of reflective practice for students in clinical legal education, the author reflects on the challenges and opportunities of developing and leading the project.