1. ALT Conference – Filling the Gap?
Vicki Brown and Pat Feast

2. What is the function of a university?
To prepare students with both academic knowledge and the ability to apply theory to practice
To equip them with the necessary skills to enter the workplace
Is this too simplistic?
Are students potentially economic units?
Is it our role to produce students who can quickly innovate and respond to Government Policy?

3. UoP Education Strategy 2016 - 2020
Provide Intellectual Challenge, enhance skills acquisition and embody academic excellence through courses that are practice informed and that engage students in research and innovation
Ensure that every student participates in career enhancing activities to learn through experience and to strengthen their personal development

4. Filling the Gap
Purpose: To investigate whether there is a potential conflict between University Strategic Aims and the Community’s need for Social Justice

5. What is Clinical Legal Education?
An accredited unit at level 6
Offers the possibility to learn by experience
Allows student the opportunity to make mistakes in a supported environment
Focuses on building confidence/interpersonal skills
Demonstrates how law works in practice

6. Student Experience at UoP
How do we currently achieve the UoP Strategic Objectives? – one way:-
CLE Provision at UoP: The Practical Lawyer
% of level 5 expressed an interest in PL
2016 percentage increased to 54%

7. Preparing Students for CLE
Currently
Recruitment at level 5 to the Practical Lawyer unit
In 2016/17 students could apply to one of six CLE opportunities
Tailored programme of training
Equipping student with essential skills for dealing with clients and the problems they are looking to resolve

8. Impact of Reform Since 2012 Drive to cut public expenditure
Reduction/removal from scope of many areas of Social Welfare Law enacted by LASPO
Welfare Reform Act
Restructuring of traditional advice services
General Legal Advice Clinic: 240+ new clients
Increase in supply has led to increase in demand
Many more people now approaching the university GLA for help with family matters

9. Where does this leave CLE?
Whose needs are we meeting?
Proposed SRA changes – ‘Training for Tomorrow’
Increased demand from students for CLE
Assessment probably needs to be standardised
More diverse range of activities not necessarily linked to the traditional provision of Social Welfare Services

10. Conclusion The student is the client!
Student experience and educational aim is primary driver for CLE offering
Commercial awareness and business acumen as well as interpersonal skills and social justice ethos – employability and work ready graduates