Leeds Law School partners with Support Through Court

The services provided by Support Through Court include helping people to complete court forms, discuss settlement options to avoid going to court, plan for court hearings and attend hearings. These services are essential, particularly given the cuts to legal aid in recent years, which has resulted in more people navigating the court system without legal representation. The government has also changed the way funds are distributed to charities like Support Through Court, putting their existence under threat in some areas of the country.

The new partnership with Leeds Law School will allow Support Through Court to continue operating within the Leeds area, with the charity being based in the University, and our students will have the opportunity to provide practical support to people going through the court system, enabling them to gain essential work experience.

Students will be able to engage with clients over the telephone and face-to-face, and attend court hearings. This will help them to develop key transferable skills that will help their future employment prospects, whilst providing a vital service to people from the local community. Students can also choose whether they volunteer with Support Through Court or engage with the services through new modules and placements, which will allow the work to form part of their degree credits. The work will also count as part of a student’s Qualifying Work Experience under the new route to qualification for solicitors in England and Wales, creating further opportunities for students to advance their legal career at an early stage in their degree.

Dean of Leeds Law School, Professor Deveral Capps, said of the partnership: “I am delighted that Leeds Beckett University can assist in the very important work that Support Through Court does. 

“Over the course of the next five years, Leeds Law School will provide student volunteers, telephone facilities and face-to-face meeting spaces to members of the public, helping them get the free legal information and help they need. 

“It is a testament to the reputation of Leeds Law School and Leeds Beckett University that Support Through Court chose to work with us.”  

Emma Taylor, Interim Chief Executive Officer for Support Through Court, added: “Cuts to our services and the rising cost of living mean that our support is needed more than ever before. This is an exciting partnership and I look forward to seeing how the new service will develop in Leeds as we work with Leeds Law School to provide practical and emotional support to more people going through court alone as litigants in person.”