Careers
The Careers team at The University of Law Guildford includes a team of experienced legal careers consultants, who are on hand to give you advice and guidance on your first steps to your career in law. Visit resources and facilities to find out more.
Pro bono
At The University of Law we have been committed to providing a pro bono service since 2001. Below are details of some of the schemes we have run in Guildford. There are changes year-to-year, but we will always provide a range of options designed to enhance the employability of our students.
Legal Advice Centre (LAC)
The LAC provides free, preliminary legal advice to the public on a wide variety of civil issues. You will interview a client and produce an advice letter, carefully supervised throughout by our Supervising Solicitor.
Students interview clients in pairs to obtain details of the case and then work together to produce a letter of advice. You gain interviewing, drafting and file management skills through this hands-on experience.
Guildford Employment Rights Advice Line Direct (GERALD)
This University initiative, run in conjunction with local law firms, gives free legal advice on employment law issues to members of the public via telephone.
From messages forwarded to you, you will phone clients to obtain basic details and take notes of the advice given by the volunteer solicitor at our weekly clinics.
Brighton Leasehold Advice Clinic (BLAC)
BLAC provides free, preliminary advice to the public on leasehold matters e.g. amount / reasonableness of service charges, enfranchisement of flats, defective leases, administrative charges and the right to manage.
You prepare necessary paperwork, attend the client interview to take notes and produce an advice letter under the supervision of our Supervising Solicitor. You gain interviewing, drafting and file management skills through this hands-on experience.
Your Day in Court
We work with a local college looking at the criminal justice system and role-play a mock trial in a Magistrates Court.
You prepare and present a Streetlaw style workshop explaining the criminal justice system and also dealing with the 'law' involved in the mock trial. You then mentor pupils through a rehearsal and the real mock trial. Suitable for GDL students.
National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV)
This charity provides fast, free legal advice and support for victims of domestic violence. In particular it runs an emergency injunction service allowing anybody, regardless of financial circumstances to obtain protection through the civil courts (usually an injunction) within 24 hours. After suitable training you could volunteer for various duties within NCDV’s headquarters based in Guildford.
Surrey Law Centre – Guildford evening advice sessions
The Surrey Law Centre, in conjunction with Clyde & Co Solicitors, runs a drop-in session every Tuesday evening at Guildford Citizens’ Advice Bureau. The sessions are staffed by volunteer solicitors from local firms. Members of the public can drop in to receive free legal advice on a variety of issues including housing, family law, debt problems and employment. The sessions are aimed at giving access to those people who cannot afford to pay for legal advice. You could shadow volunteer solicitors as they interview and advise clients who drop in. You may also be asked to help with photocopying and general admin.
Woking Citizens Advice – County Court Helpdesk
On Tuesday mornings a solicitor provides advice/representation on repossession cases at the Guildford County Court. You could attend, observe and take notes.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice offers free help and advice to members of the public on a variety of topics. All offices have trained volunteer advisors as well as some volunteer solicitors. The services they offer include legal advice and help with form filling. You could take part in the following activities:
- Evening advice sessions: one evening a week, one volunteer solicitor sees clients by appointment. Matrimonial and general matters are dealt with on alternate weeks
- You could attend to help with a combination of reception duties and observation of client interviews, note-taking and preparing a brief case note
- Students are trained to prepare case submissions on benefit appeals to the First Tier Tribunal concerning overpayment of benefits and rejection of claims for Disability Living Allowance or Employment Support Allowance
- Students are trained to be Gateway Assessors or Generalist / Specialist Advisors.
International Law Book Facility
This charity organises packing and shipment of law books to Commonwealth countries where they are needed. You could volunteer to help with unpacking donated books or repackaging them for onward shipment. For more information, see ilbf.org.uk