New legal advice centre opens

Law students provide free advice on a range of subjects at the Centre under the supervision of academics.

The new University of Wolverhampton Legal Advice Centre is based in a shop unit in the Mander Shopping Centre, in Wolverhampton city centre.

The Legal Advice Centre was launched at an official opening attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer, as well as staff, governors, students and representatives of Black Country law firms.

The Mander Centre has kindly allowed the University the use of a void unit.

Mumtaz J Hussain, Director of Postgraduate and Part-time Education at the School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, said: “The University has a strong focus on providing our students with the skills needed for the world of work. The new Legal Advice Centre has been established to provide real experience of offering legal advice, which will further enhance the employability of our graduates.

“The University would also like to give something back to the City of Wolverhampton. I am sure this will be a very useful service to members of the local community, as well as providing students with a practical insight into the law and its application.”

The students offering advice in the free law clinics will be LLB (Hons) undergraduates in the their second and third years of their courses, as well as Legal Practice Course (LPC) and postgraduate law students, and will be fully supervised by law academics.

In addition, the centre has received the backing of Black Country law firms, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP and Talbots, who will provide guidance to the students in relation to their practical legal research, legal analysis and advice work.

The Legal Advice Centre free legal advice clinic was the brainchild of Associate Dean, Lynn Leighton-Johnstone, with the support of the Dean of School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications, Professor Judith Burnett.

The Legal Advice Centre, which was officially launched today (Wednesday, 23 November 2011), will be open from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm, during teaching weeks of the University's semesters. Clients are seen via appointments, which can be made by emailing lawcentre@wlv.ac.uk or calling 01902 322484.

For more information, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/legaladvice

ENDS

Picture (L-R): Student Advisor Jyoti Chumber, Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer and Student Advisor Vito Giambalvo open the new Law Centre

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