Legal Aid Clinic

The Legal Aid Clinic is the practical training arm of the Norman Law School. As a part of their training, law students assist legal practitioners with cases assigned to them through the clinic. The clinic is run primarily for the benefit of poor members of the public

Clinical Work

Year 2 students are assigned in accordance with their seminar groups to attend at the clinic. At the clinic students perform work in a law office environment and complete tasks geared towards developing their technical and vocational skills. Work at the clinic includes but is not limited to:- letter writing, legal drafting, preparation of statements of account, research, preparation of case briefs, submissions and other documents for hearings, updating clients, conducting interviews, attendances at court or other hearings and any other work as may be deemed necessary or expedient.

Clinics & Seminars

The Legal Aid Clinic hosts a number of special clinics and seminars each year on technical or developing areas of law. There are opportunities for participation in the prison outreach project and projects in conjunction with the Office of the Children’s Advocate.

Small Claims Court Attendance

Students are required to attend at the Civil Division of the local Parish Court and complete four (4) hours of Small Claims Court attendances. This is an opportunity for students to perfect their client interviewing skills, prepare Summons and Particulars of Claim other work as may be deemed appropriate by the Clerk of the Court.

Group Outreach Projects & Legal Aid Fairs

In recognition of their social responsibility each year students participate in at least one outreach project in addition to Legal Aid Fairs hosted internally by the clinic or by external partners. Outreach Project proposals are submitted by each Seminar group to their respective Seminar Group Tutor for approval prior to embarking on the same.

Testimonials

Michelle Moncrieffe

The Legal Aid Clinic has opened my eyes to be more passionate to the needy and the poor.

I had valued each client, existing and potential, having read each file with an understanding of their respective needs. From experience, once the client has been eligible for legal aid help it was my responsibility, with the guidance of the attorneys-at-law at the clinic, to ascertain the client's cause of action, prepare draft documents or letters for approval, and follow through with each matter until completion (where practicable).

The technical training was an enriching and inspiring experience for me because I had to remain focus, coming from a banking background, I was honoured to be given the opportunity to learn how to take a client's statement and go through the practice and procedure of the legal aid clinic. I was able to carry my tasks effectively and efficiently.

I must say that the constructive feedback received from each attorney-at-law was valued. I will endeavour to look out for the poor and needy because of the training received. Thanks to the Legal Aid Clinic, a noble institution