Teesside University law students are providing crucial support at North East family courts.
- The initiative is one of two in the United Kingdom, the only one in Northern England.
- Students offer emotional and procedural support to self-represented individuals.
- The service operates every Tuesday at Middlesbrough Family Court.
- The initiative offers invaluable experience for aspiring legal professionals.
Teesside University law students have embarked on an impactful initiative, providing essential support for those without legal representation in family courts across the North East. This pioneering effort positions itself as one of only two such schemes in the United Kingdom, and uniquely, the sole provider in Northern England.
Operating from Middlesbrough Family Court, the students extend their assistance to individuals navigating private law family cases without legal counsel. Their roles encompass offering not only procedural guidance but also emotional support, ensuring that these individuals are not alone in what can be a daunting court environment.
The students, who are in their final year of the LLB programme, receive support from Teesside University Law Clinic staff, all of whom are trained legal professionals. This collaborative arrangement allows students to deliver practical advice on court processes, detailing the steps involved and stages that follow initial hearings, held every Tuesday.
Senior lecturer Emma Harbron, the driving force behind the initiative, expressed the dual benefit of the programme. She highlighted how it aids the public in accessing justice and provides students with critical, real-world experience, nurturing their development into future leaders in the legal field.
Judge Harvey Murray, a family court judge, welcomed this service as a beacon of support for those facing emotionally demanding hearings. He emphasised the empowerment and confidence it brings to community members attending court sessions.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting vulnerable individuals while simultaneously enriching the educational experience of law students.
