About Us
What does the Law Clinic do?
We offer advice and representation to assist our clients with their legal problems.
We provide Public Legal Education to groups of people to help them to understand their rights.
We work in partnership with various other organisations to assist vulnerable groups.
What do our clients say?
"I cannot put into words how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'm very busy at work, doing the job I love, which may have ended without your support and representation."
"Advisors were professional, sympathetic and supportive. Their assistance and advice made such a difference. What a fantastic service."
"This is an excellent service, I don't know what I would have done without your help. Over a dozen law firms turned me down for my case."
Our Roots
The Law Clinic was founded by our director, Professor Donald Nicolson. He built upon his experience of Law Clinics in South Africa, and in Bristol. The first of the current Scottish Law Clinics, it captured the enthusiasm of an initial group of 80 students.
"As the very first university law clinic in Scotland, the Law Clinic builds upon a long tradition of clinical legal education in the US, and more recent practice in England, Wales, and in other Commonwealth countries where clinics are recognised for their value, not only to the community at large, but to each new generation of lawyers."
-Donald Nicolson, 2003
Kate Laverty, Supervisor
Gillian Melville, Supervisor
Donald Nicolson, Director
Our People
Diane Inglis, Administrator
Jacob Hay, Student Director
Nathan McHardy, Deputy Student Director
Fergus Lawrie, Student Director
The Award Winning Clinic
LawWorks and
Attorney General
Award
Winner - Best Contribution by an Individual Student 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016
Winner - Best Contribution by a Team of Students 2012 (Committee)
Winner - Best Contribution by a Law School 2009 and 2015
Runner Up - Best Contribution by an Individual Student 2010 and 2015
Shortlisted - Best Contribution by a Team of Students 2010 and 2009
Shortlisted - Best Contribution by an Individual Student 2009
Other Awards
Commendation for Herald Society Worker of the Year 2016 (Kathleen Laverty)
Runner up in Scott and Co Law Awards pro bono category 2015
Shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Best Contribution to the Local Community Award 2012
Shortlisted for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Charity of the Year Award 2012.
Winner of the Herald Society Team of the Year 2012
Evening Standard Award - Best Contribution by an Individual 2010 (Donald Nicolson)
Evening Standard Award - Finalist for Community Champion Team Award 2009, 2011 and 2012 (runner-up)
The Day-To-Day
Cases: 1617
Online Enquiries: 236
IAC Clients: 885
Total People Helped: 2738
£781,887.60 won or saved for our clients
The day to day running of the Clinic is in the hands of its Student Director, and an Executive Committee of student volunteers, who are responsible for matters such as recruitment, training, IT, publicity, Clinic development and external relations. The Law Clinic Executive Committee also consists of elected student advisors who take the lead in long-term policy making and ensuring that the Law Clinic continues to meet its objectives.
Finally, a Supervisory Committee made up by members of the University, legal profession and Glasgow community provides guidance to the committees.
All advice is insured through Advice UK.