European Network for Clinical Legal Education and International Journal of Clinical Legal Education Conference Impacting Justice: The contribution of clinical legal education and law school clinics to pro bono and access to justice in England and Wales James Sandbach and Clare Johnson, LawWorks Presentation and paper for ENCLE/IJCLE Conference, Comenius University Bratislava, July 2019.

Introduction About LawWorks / Clinics Network LawWorks supports pro bono through the clinics network and other programmes; 40% of clinics are law school based (the remainder with nfp advice charities/CAB, and law firms) Currently 118 law school clinics on the LawWorks network. Our data over March 2017 – April 2018 shows there were 4,632 students volunteering over the year, delivering over 200,000 volunteering hours

Context for clinics Cuts to public provision (LASPO Act) – 75% cuts to civil legal aid High demand (Civil and Social Justice Survey) Debates on the role of clinics in the Law School and wider community – education-skills and/or social justice? Community integration and partnerships (e.g. healthcare settings) and online access

Growth of Clinics LawWorks surveys – of responding law schools 2000 & 2003: 41% reported pro bono activity, with a further 20% indicating interest in, or plans to, develop pro bono 2005: 53% reported involvement in pro bono activity, with a further 12% expressing interest 2010: 75% indicated they were carrying out pro bono work in some capacity. 2015: 96% indicated that they carried out pro bono work

What clinics deliver 19,776 enquiries March 2017 – April 2018; 46% of clients were provided advice, 37% provided with assisted information/signposting, 17% not helped Family and employment law highest

Client outcomes Better Information Project – sample of 41 law school clinic clients (overall clinics sample of 209 clients):- Legal outcomes: For 29% of clients their issue was either fully or partially resolved or possible to take further action, although for 42% it was ‘too early’ to tell. 56% were considering pursuing their issue to court or tribunal, but following advice 27% percent changed their mind Capability outcomes: 78% of clients has a better understanding of what their next steps are following advice and 68% said their problem was more manageable Wellbeing outcomes: 63% of clients felt less stressed after visiting the clinic and 49% felt physically better

Future context of legal education, regulation and technology SQE (lawyer training) reforms and ‘qualifying work experience’ in clinics SRA Handbook (regulatory) reforms and impact on practice models (ABS and NfPs etc) and pathways into practice Onward march of Legal Tech (ref. joint LawWorks/CLEO January workshop)

Unmet needs and the limits of law school pro bono Around 1 in 3 people experience legal problems but only about 10% access legal advice/support LASPO Review – has revealed large gaps especially for ‘early intervention’ needs Law school pro bono a “contribution” but cannot (and should not be expected to..) fill the gap Alternative role for clinics in advocacy/law reform/PLE?

For more information LawWorks website: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/ https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/get-involved/law-schools-and-student-pro-bono https://www.lawworks.org.uk/impact