A Case Study Approach: Legal Outreach Clinics at Northumbria University

Abstract

Through a case study approach, this paper discusses two projects which have been established by clinical supervisors at Northumbria University to support access to justice and promote the development of students’ professional skills and identities through CLE within disadvantaged or minority communities in the North East of England. The projects adopt the model of ‘legal outreach services’ because they operate within distinct communities to provide advice to target groups. The paper will first discuss the different models of CLE; simulation, drop in clinics, letters of advice and full representation. The second part of the paper will go on to discuss legal outreach models and set out the key features of the legal outreach approach. The third part of the article will set out the considerations underpinning the two outreach projects operated by Northumbria Law School: Legal Advice Byker (LAB) and Empower 4 Justice (E4J). The fourth part of the paper will set out in detail the operation of LAB and E4J.  The final part of the article will discuss the benefits and limitations of this approach to CLE from a student and community perspective.