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Ahead of the new term, University of Liverpool Law Clinic has announced a number of new services.
The clinic is known for its immigration work, and immigration advice will continue to be offered, but there are also two other important areas of law that it is able to provide support with.
Free Family Advice Law Clinic
The clinic has two solicitors specialising in family work.
They are able to offer appointments to advise on child arrangement orders (contact and issues surrounding where children should live), special guardianship orders, social services issues and other family related problems. They are not able to advice on financial matters.
In addition, they plan to hold regular information events to explain court procedures and how decisions are made. These will be held online.
Support with online/remote court hearings in relation to child arrangement/SGO hearings is also available,
Appointments will take place online but, depending on Covid restrictions, may also be available at the clinic itself.
Free Special Educational Needs Clinic
The clinic’s specialist education solicitor works with students to assist parents and carers of disabled children to gain the support they need at school or college. This might be making them aware of the duties schools have to support children with additional needs or, most likely, assisting parents in their application for support through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Solicitors help parents understand the EHC process. This includes advising parents about the right to request a particular school for their child and obtaining the therapeutic services their child may need.
Help can be provided at any stage of the process, up to and including an appeal to the SEN Tribunal. The clinic provides advice and assistance in relation to grounds of appeal to the SEN Tribunal, and may be able to help parents prepare appeals to the Tribunal – providing advice and assistance about evidence gathering, potential lines of argument and procedural matters. They also hope to be able to offer parents who are otherwise unsupported, assistance from students at an appeal. Though students will not represent parents, they will be able to support parents on the day of the hearing.
How the clinic works
Staff are legally qualified solicitors. They are assisted by undergraduate and postgraduate law students. Students are trained and supervised throughout their placements and advice is given only by solicitors.
The clinic is completely free.
Solicitors are unable to formally represent clients but are able to advise and support through proceedings where agreed. They will explain to clients about legal aid eligibility and other funding options.
Due to current restrictions, online appointments are available.
How to refer
You can phone the clinic on 07774 779132, or email clinic@liverpool.ac.uk to make an appointment.
Due to demand, urgent appointments are rarely available and you should be prepared to wait up to three weeks for an appointment – sometimes longer out of term time.
If you would like cards with the clinic’s contact details, to provide to clients, please contact Elaine at the clinic (using the details above).
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