Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation Liberty, launched the Essex Law Clinic at the University’s Colchester Campus.

The Essex Law Clinic is run by the University’s School of Law in association with the Students’ Union Advice Centre and the law student pro bono society Street Law. It will allow law students to offer free and reliable legal advice to members of the public under the supervision of professionally qualified legal practitioners from within the Essex area.

Shami Chakrabarti is patron of the Essex Law Clinic and gave a lecture to law students after the launch. She has been director of Liberty, one of the UK’s leading human rights and civil liberties organisations, since 2003 and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Essex in 2006.

Dr Karen Hulme, senior lecturer in the School of Law, explains: ‘As well as benefitting the local community, the Essex Law Clinic will give law students the opportunity to develop legal skills within a practical context and thereby maximise their employment prospects on graduation.’

The Clinic Manager, Mrs Fiona Harvey, will ensure the Clinic has sessions running from late October to November and again from January to March. The Clinic will offer a free initial consultation to clients in order to ascertain their legal position and what steps they can take. Unfortunately, the Clinic will not undertake casework or representation of clients in legal proceedings. Appointments can be arranged via telephone, e-mail or in person and contact details will be advertised on the University’s website.

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Notes to editors:
The attached picture shows Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty and an Essex honorary graduate, cutting a ribbon to launch the Essex Law Clinic.

For more information, please contact the Communications Office on telephone: 01206 872807 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk