Pro Bono Activities
Working pro bono (free of charge) is the best way to get valuable work experience and make a difference in your community
It makes good legal advice accessible to more people and helps you develop the skills and understanding you’ll need throughout your legal career.
What does the course involve?
We offer a whole range of opportunities to work pro bono, so everyone who’d like to get involved can do so at some point during their studies. As well as adding to your CV and improving your job prospects, it also counts towards your Go Herts Award. Volunteering in this way can also count towards the qualifying work experience you will need to become a solicitor.
You could volunteer with our new law clinic, working under the supervision of solicitors to provide legal advice to members of the public who would otherwise struggle to have access to justice. You will get a chance to develop useful practical skills such as interviewing clients, carrying out legal research and drafting letters of legal advice on a wide range of issues including family law.
You could also volunteer for our miscarriages of justice project, working on the cases of prisoners who have been convicted of serious offences and who maintain their innocence. There’s also the opportunity to advise start-up businesses and help people in the creative industries protect their intellectual property. We also offer a range of opportunities to volunteer with external advice organisations. You could train as a telephone advisor with St Albans Citizens Advice, helping local people resolve all kinds of legal problems.
You could develop your confidence and communication skills by taking part in Streetlaw, a legal education project aimed at improving access to justice by demystifying areas of law that affect the wider community. If you volunteer for this project you would work as a team to prepare and deliver interactive presentations to school children and community groups in Hertfordshire.
How does it build on my degree studies?
Working pro bono brings a whole new layer of understanding to your university experience. You’ll build on the theories you’ve learnt, developing practical skills and a growing awareness of social justice issues. You’ll also become more confident in working with clients, helping you stand out to future employers and start a rewarding legal career.
What new skills will it give me?
By taking on pro bono projects with real clients, you will have the opportunity to develop the kinds of skills valued by employers. You’ll strengthen your ability to listen, assess situations and offer valuable, objective advice. You’ll become a stronger communicator, able to work empathetically and explain complex situations clearly. How can it help me open new doors? By giving you first-hand experience of the vast range of legal problems people face, this programme helps you gain a fresh perspective on potential career paths. Employers, particularly law firms, look favourably on students who have taken part in pro bono activities during their studies. Not only does it demonstrate your commitment to a career in law, you will have the chance to develop essential workplace skills such as teamwork and communication.
