Students to provide legal companion support

Law students will be supporting members of the public in their dealings with the court as part of a scheme at the University of Wolverhampton.

The Wolverhampton Legal Companions (WLC) desk re-opened at Wolverhampton County Court on Monday, 30 January 2017 with a new intake of companions.

The voluntary scheme enables students from the Faculty of Social Sciences to boost their experience while also assisting members of the public with information and support.

The new cohort features first and second year law, criminology and sociology students who will be able to gain valuable experience of court practice and procedure.

Lecturer in Law and Legal Practice and manager of the WLC, Kathryn Willets, said: “The Wolverhampton Legal Companions scheme is a fantastic way for our students to gain real life experience of court proceedings and dealing with members of the public.

“Students will receive training in areas such as Legal Aid, family law, child protection and welfare rights, enabling them to also clarify which aspects interest them for their future career.

“It will benefit members of the public with the confusing and sometimes overwhelming environment of the court and helping them with legal procedure, terms and forms.

“With the limitations on Legal Aid, it is great that the University of Wolverhampton is continuing to support the local community while also enhancing students’ employability.”

More than 20 new companions will join the experienced existing second and third year companions. The role includes staffing the new desk at the county court on a rota basis, signposting enquirers, assisting with form filling and taking notes.

For more details about WLC, which is run in affiliation with the national legal companions scheme, CLOCK, visit: http://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/our-schools-and-institutes/faculty-of-social-sciences/university-of-wolverhampton-law-school/volunteering--placements/wolverhampton-legal-companions-wlc/

Further information

Pic: Law students on the Wolverhampton Legal Companions scheme pictured at the University of Wolverhampton’s mock courtroom.

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: Tuesday, 31 January 2017