An innovative partnership between Stone King, Bath Spa University and Citizens Advice B&NES continues to make free legal advice more accessible in the city.
The Bath Law Clinic sees lawyers from Stone King offering initial advice for free with the students gaining vital work experience in their role supporting them.
Stone King is also funding a co-ordinator to oversee the clinic with the legal areas currently covered family, employment, and immigration. Appointments take place online.
Demand for the clinic continues to be high with the partnership being celebrated in Pro Bono Week, which runs from 7 – 11th November, to recognise andsupport the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK in giving free legal help to those in need.
“I would like to thank all our lawyers for giving their time to support local residents with initial free legal advice,” said Stone King’s Managing Partner Steven Greenwood.
“Our Family Team in particular have been very busy with appointments at the Bath Law Clinic and I am proud that so many of our people are helping this invaluable clinic.
“It is so important that people get excellent legal advice and we are happy to facilitate this through the Bath Law Clinic.”
“At Bath Spa University we believe our unique partnership with Stone King LLP and Citizens Advice B&NES will give local citizens much needed support in unprecedented times as well as giving real world legal experience to our students,” said Senior Lecturer/LLB Course Leader Steve Goulton.
“We believe it is essential to expose our students to legal skills and clinical legal education has been woven into our curriculum design for the benefit of the students and for the wider community of Bath and North East Somerset.”
The cost of living crisis is adding to demand for the clinic.
“The need for pro-bono legal advice is greater than ever,” said Simon Lawson, chief executive of Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset.
“The cost of living crisis and the after effects of the pandemic are hitting residents across B&NES. We hope that this partnership will enable us to offer more people much-needed legal advice, but also that students will both learn from and contribute to the work of Stone King’s legal team, to the benefit of everyone who attends the clinic. We are grateful to both Stone King and Bath Spa University for working with us on this exciting initiative.”
Appointments for the Bath Law Clinic can be made by calling Citizens Advice expert advisers at 0808 278 7879.
For general queries and advice please visit Citizens Advice Bath And North East Somerset.
Featured image, left to right: Steve Goulton; Steven Greenwood; Simon Lawson