LW237 Clinical Legal Education
Law Placement Module - 90 hours of work-based learning in a legal environment.
Some students have undertaken their placement module at Support Through Court. Information on the placement module can be found here.
What is Support Through Court?
Support Through Court (STC) is a charity that helps people who face court without legal representation. Volunteers offer non-legal, procedural and emotional support, helping clients understand the court process and complete essential paperwork. The service is free and open to anyone navigating civil or family court proceedings.
Volunteers assist with:
- Completing court forms
- Writing statements
- Attending hearings
- Explaining procedures and outcomes
- Taking notes during hearings
Where is Support Through Court?
STC has 19 offices across England and Wales, including a local office in Chelmsford and Southend. A National Helpline and remote service are also available.
What our students say
"Support Through Court provides you with an invaluable opportunity to experience the court process first hand. With support from other volunteers and the Chelmsford service manager, you are given the independence to work with clients and provide practical, procedural, non-legal advice. This could involve anything from appointments to filling out court forms or writing statements, to attending a hearing with a client and taking notes for them and explaining what is being said.
The independence and responsibility you are entrusted with from the get go allows you to truly learn and embrace the whole experience.
The experience allows you to learn while helping those who are vulnerable and going through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
The knowledge gained from the experience is something you can only learn from practice. You are exposed to a variety of areas of law from employment, to real estate and even family law (my personal favourite)."
- Jasmin Selby
"Working at Support Through Court allowed me to contribute to a cause that truly matters, while also expanding my own understanding of the legal system and its intricacies. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this extraordinary organisation, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful and fulfilling volunteer experience."
- Amjad Khalil
"I would like to highly commend the services provided by Support Through Court. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering as a student. I have gained so much experience on a day-to-day basis. The charity has its doors open to everyone with different legal issues in the family and civil court, every day people who cannot afford legal representation. There is no one that is not welcome, I feel the charity is a great asset to the County Court, it offers a place for people to get the assistance they need, and the guidance through the legal process they have to follow.
The people who use the service are very vulnerable and most times confused and lost, the support they receive makes them go away hopeful and grateful.
Not everyone can afford to hire a lawyer and not everyone is entitled to Legal Aid, the services offered by STC are extremely crucial and are essential tools used by the courts."
- Oyin Isiorho
"Support Through Court (STC) is an amazing opportunity to be able to practically apply some areas of law. With various opportunities to meet clients from all different backgrounds and experiences, to meet fellow volunteers who are just as interesting as the clients you are helping, and an incredible chance to be able to accompany clients into court hearings and experience one first hand.
If you decide to volunteer you will get the chance to help clients do a manner of things, from writing a witness statement to filling out court forms. No two interviews are the same, you truly never know who you are going to be supporting. A highlight for me was when I was able to complete my first face to face client interview without any help, and it’s achievements like this which really makes the role valuable for me.
The days consist of in person interviews, phone and zoom appointments. It can be very busy with telephones and clients coming into the office, however the days are never overwhelming.
STC offers you the opportunity to attend court hearings and experience court etiquette, this is an amazing chance to watch the barristers and solicitors work and we can sit with the client in a courtroom. We take notes and explain to the client what happened and offer any additional support if needed after the hearing.
This placement is an amazing chance to gain some valuable work experience within the court environment, with a level of independence where you are not totally isolated but you have a level of freedom that other placements may not offer, while also having some of the most amazing co-workers I have ever had."
- Declan Chamberlain
Volunteering with STC is more than just a placement, it’s a chance to grow, contribute and learn in a real-world legal setting. It’s an experience that stays with you, both professionally and personally.
