The disruption caused by Covid-19 has had far reaching impacts and required all of us to adapt to life’s challenges under lockdown. University law clinics are no exception and law academics and clinic supervisors have had to act fast and think creatively to keep their clinical programmes running. 

Ellie Lewns is currently studying her A-levels at Parkstone Grammar Sixth Form. “I am planning to go on to university next year to study Law and hope to eventually become a practising solicitor. I engaged in the OpenLearn course on ‘Pro Bono Work and Social Justice’ to further my knowledge in this area of law, as I particularly enjoy looking at charitable work and the reasons we often feel such a need to provide this help to those unable to access it independently.

Pip Allen is currently a second year Law and Sociology student at the University of Warwick. Pip was inspired to write this blog post after completing the Pro Bono and Social Justice online course, which has tied neatly in with her current work in an Exceptional Case Funding Clinic. Pip hopes to continue this line of work and in the future, go on to pursue a career in social welfare based areas of law. 

Dr Andrew Gilbert from the OU Law School shares his findings on 'Wigs, Websites, Women and Whiteness' in our latest blog post.

Open Justice student Dona Mclachlan writes about her experiences as a Citizens Advice volunteer.

In this guest post, law student Vera Potts reflects on her work as a Witness Service volunteer.

As a Witness Service Volunteer both prosecution and defence witnesses are supported at the criminal court through the process of giving evidence. Previously it included pre-trial visits to the courts for vulnerable intimated witnesses, however from April 2019, funding for pre-trial witnesses were devolved from the Ministry of Justice to the office of the mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

In this latest blog post 'Digital Justice' student Heather Gordon looks at the role technology plays in domestic abuse issues.

Domestic abuse cases have soared during the Covid 19 crisis, with many victims increasingly isolated and perpetrators exploiting lockdown rules [1]. Present difficulties in securing access to traditional avenues of support and legal relief, mean the Government must consider alternative methods and procedural changes to best safeguard and protect those affected by domestic abuse.

Lily McDermaid was inspired to write a piece for our blog after working through the free course 'Pro bono work and social justice' which is a taster for our module 'Justice in action' (W360).

In this second guest blog post trainee solicitor Caitlin Alexander writes about the current EU Settlement Scheme.

In March of this year, the government announced a further £8 million to assist vulnerable people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme – a scheme which EU citizens MUST apply to if they wish to stay in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Hugh McFaul, Director of The Open Justice Centre and Module Chair of W360 'Justice in action' writes about taking legal outreach online.