Employment and family law advice in Plymouth

A new project aimed at giving Plymouth University law students the chance to learn new customer service skills is being launched at the Council’s First Stop Shop in New George street next week.

The pilot project between Plymouth Law School and the City Council will enable the law students to offer advice on employment law for individuals and a health check for businesses and charities. There will also be initial information and guidance in some areas of family law. The students will work with the back-up support and advice of the professional legal sector and of staff in the school’s law clinic.

Rosie Brennan, Director of the Plymouth Law Clinic, a student-led initiative which is based at the Univesity,said: “This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with Plymouth City Council and to take the work of the law clinic into the community. Our students will gain invaluable experience and under supervision can give information and advice on some important local legal issues.”

Customers who want to take advantage of the legal advice will be given an appointment and taken to a private office to discuss their concerns.

Councillor Jon Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Customer Services said: “This is an excellent opportunity to bring legal advice into the First Stop shop to provide a greater range of services to our customers. It’s also going to provide students with real world hands-on experience of dealing with clients, that will help them make a real difference in the city.”

Employment law advice starts weekly from Monday 22 February, between 1pm and 4pm. Family law starts weekly on Wednesday 24 February, between 2pm and 5pm.

If the pilot scheme proves to be a success it may be extended to other areas of initial legal advice.