Law students team up with theatre to support freelancers

Law students at the University of Essex have teamed up with Colchester's Mercury Theatre to help make legal guidance more accessible for freelancers working in the creative industries.

The partnership saw nine final-year students work on a live brief through the University’s Business Law Clinic, developing practical legal resources tailored to theatre professionals and independent creatives.

Launched and led by Dr Elena Sherstoboeva, the project introduced students to entertainment law for the very first time by giving them hands-on experience with real legal documents, contracts and client expectations.

Working in teams, students created clear and accessible guidance covering issues including contract essentials, worker status and the rights of independent contractors.

Their work drew on industry materials and insight provided by Mercury Theatre under strict confidentiality agreements.

The collaboration culminated in a live pitching event at the theatre on 29 April, where students presented their projects to members of Mercury Theatre’s senior leadership team and received professional feedback.

Dr Sherstoboeva said the initiative gave students a rare opportunity to experience legal practice in a real-world environment.

“This project gave students the opportunity to experience legal work as it happens in practice – with a real organisation, real documents and a real audience,” she said.

Antony Stuart-Hicks, Senior Producer of Mercury Theatre, said: “This partnership with Essex Law School – Entertainment Law clinic highlights the power of collaboration—connecting students with live industry practice while helping us increase accessible resources to enhance how we support development of local artists and creatives who engage with our talent development offerings.

“The students’ pitches were delivered clearly and showed excellent knowledge of the relevant provisions and best practise.”

For Mercury Theatre, the partnership provided fresh legal resources designed specifically for the realities of freelance creative work, while also strengthening links with the local University and future legal professionals.

Students involved in the project said the experience helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, giving them valuable insight into client-focused legal work and the challenges facing the creative industries.

Final-year law student Rosa Pajares Munoz said: “It’s very important to go outside classes and see how it works in the real world.”

Oluwadara Adetunmbi added: “It was such a great opportunity and gave us an insight that other people might not have.”

Alongside presenting their work, students were also given a behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre’s production spaces, helping them better understand the practical and collaborative nature of creative work.

* Photos and quotes provided by Yelyzaveta Buriak