Applications for this opportunity are closed.
About UCL iLAC
The UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic (iLAC), based in central Stratford, offers local residents free face to face general legal advice on all aspects of social welfare law including welfare benefits and housing.
Staffed by UCL law students working under the close supervision of qualified lawyers and advisers, the Clinic offers students a rich educational opportunity while also providing a valuable and much needed service to members of the local community.
Whilst volunteering at iLAC, students will gain valuable hands on experience and develop a greater understanding of legal needs while providing a much needed service to one of England's most deprived boroughs.
The role: iLAC student supervisors
Our student supervisors will be based in-person at the UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic in central Stratford. They will be integral to providing day-to-day support at the iLAC.
- When working at our Stratford Clinic, iLAC student supervisors will support the Clinic Manager to manage the reception phone, including being the first point of contact for clients seeking legal advice, booking appointments, ascertaining the nature of the problem, and the new client intake.
- You will assist the Clinic Manager with the supervision of the iLAC assistants which will include: ensuring iLAC assistants have correctly followed the new enquiry procedure, helping to signpost clients and handle incoming and outgoing post.
- You will provide additional support to the iLAC assistants with answering phones and general queries.
- You may on occasion be asked to assist Advisers during advice sessions and with casework, with cases covering welfare benefits, housing, education and community care law. You may also be asked to completed other office-related ad hoc tasks.
- You will assist the Clinic Manager with organising and facilitating the monthly Clinic Meeting for all staff and student volunteers.
- You will assist with the day to day running of the clinic including administrative tasks such as data collection, sending routine letters and file management.
- You will be allocated a specific clinic related project.
- You may on occasion be asked to assist with other clinic related projects and training.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to all LLB and LLM students with previous experience volunteering at a CAB/ Law Centre/ Legal Advice Clinic.
Requirements
We are looking for student supervisors who can demonstrate:
- Previous experience volunteering at the UCL iLAC or experience volunteering at another legal advice clinic/ CAB or Law Centre;
- Excellent time management skills;
- Friendliness and approachability;
- A commitment to or an awareness of social justice issues;
- Willingness and ability to be flexible, open minded, and non-judgemental regarding clients and their problems;
- Awareness of the potential needs of, and demands placed on, vulnerable clients;
- Reliability and commitment, good interpersonal and communication skills, including written and oral;
- Ability to work effectively both independently, and collaboratively as part of a team;
- Strong administrative skills.
Time commitments
We are looking for students who are able to commit to volunteering in-person at Stratford for at least two half days per week starting in October 2024 during university term-time for both Term 1 and Term 2. Each half day shift takes place between 10am-1pm or 2pm -5pm. If you are unsure about your timetable for the next academic year, please indicate your current availability and note in your application that it is subject to change.
Students are usually welcome to continue volunteering beyond this date but many prefer to focus on revision in term 3.
Pro Bono Skills Development Framework
The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in extra-curricular pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework. This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity are closed.
When applying, please make sure you have completed the CAJ Equality and Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire. You only need to complete this once per academic year.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jennifer Akinola at jennifer.akinola@ucl.ac.uk