Paul McKeown amp Sarah Morse Northumbria University Introduction Outline of PSU Newcastle project Exploration of clinical issues raised Expanding the model across Europe or beyond Personal Support Unit ID: 579150
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Slide1
A model of clinic – assisting litigants in person
Paul McKeown & Sarah Morse
Northumbria UniversitySlide2
Introduction
Outline of PSU Newcastle project
Exploration of clinical issues raised
Expanding the model across Europe (or beyond)Slide3
Personal Support Unit
Charity based in England and WalesSlide4
Personal Support Unit
‘Our vision is that every person in England and Wales attending a court or tribunal alone should have access to a PSU volunteer.’
PSU (2012)Slide5
Personal Support Unit
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Trained volunteers
Core volunteer
Student volunteers
Free and independent assistance to litigants without legal representation in civil and family mattersSlide6
Volunteers
Listening to clients tell the story of what has happened so far as well as what their current worries are
Prompting clients to order their thoughts
Tidying paperwork into a rational order and indexing it
Helping clients to find out which forms they need to fill in, to complete them if they know what they want to say, and to take the paperwork to the appropriate customer service desk or court office
Helping people find their way around court or tribunal buildings and offices
Assisting in discussions with court or tribunal staff
Going into court or tribunal hearings with clients
Signposting clients to free legal advice or representation, or to access relevant advice
online
PSU (2012)Slide7
PSU Newcastle
Partnership between PSU and Northumbria Law School
Rationale:
Provide more clinical opportunities
Exposure to court environment
Community EngagementSlide8
Advantages
Wider community
Eases stress and helps litigants remain calm
Access to Justice?
Students
Development of soft skills
Familiarity with court
Exposure to public service ethos
Employability
University
Increase capacity for clinical activity
Low maintenance/Low risk
MarketingSlide9
Disadvantages
No legal advice is given
Student experience?
Helpful to client?
Access to Justice?
Is it really clinic?
Clinical Legal Education is
‘learning through participation in real or realistic legal interactions coupled with reflections of this experience’
Kerrigan and Murray (2011)
Slide10
Other jurisdictions
USA
Various models across the country
Lawyers providing pro bono legal assistance
Australia
Justice Connect
Self-representation service
Due to commence July 2014
4 years of Federal fundingSlide11
Growing clinics across Europe (and beyond)
Could this model of clinic be utilised in your jurisdiction?
Would it solve any issues you currently face?
Would this model create any problems?