RGU's first Law Clinic was founded in 2013 and steadily grew in numbers and interest every year. Until recently, however, there has never been a dedicated Law Clinic Manager.
In 2022, the RGU Law Clinic was relaunched as the Grampian Community Law Centre.
Our Student Advisors work under the supervision of the Law Clinic Manager, who is a qualified solicitor, and other Academic staff members to provide free, confidential legal advice, support and assistance to members of the public who might not be able to afford it.
To this end, the Centre is split into three main Clinics:
- Scotlands first Climate Clinic
- Our holistic Community Clinic which serves the Torry area and wider North East of Scotland
- Our virtual Orkney Clinic
About our work
Our team advise clients across many areas of law and assistance is decided on a case-by-case basis, subject to our caseload and available resources at the time of your enquiry.
If you are entitled to legal aid or earn over £25,000 a year, you will not be eligible to legal assistance through our service however, if we are unable to act on your behalf, we will endeavour to recommend another organisation or law firm that may be able to assist you.
What we can't do
We are restricted with some subjects preventing us providing advice and assistance on:
- Criminal law
- Complex family or child protection matters
- Divorce
- Tax law and financial advice
- Legal representation (e.g. Tribunals and Court Cases)
- Trusts, Wills and Executries
- Conveyancing
How it works
Upon receiving an enquiry via the enquiry form, we aim to respond as soon as possible. If you are eligible, our team will get in touch to arrange an initial consultation with allocated student advisors, under the supervision of academic staff.
The Centre’s office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 17:00, during semester time only and any emails received outwith these hours will be checked at our next available opportunity.
The purpose of the initial consultation will be to fact find and discuss your case to see if we can provide you with further advice and/or assistance. Once this has taken place the GCLC will then consider in what way we may be able to support your case - we will be in touch with you as soon as we can after the consultation to confirm our position.
Where possible, we will aim to signpost you to suitable alternate agencies, or provide suggestions, where you might be able to find further support and advice on your issue, If we are not able to support your matter.
Mentor program
Are you looking to give back to your community? Look no further!
We are always looking to recruit for new volunteers who can support the Law Centre to provide free legal advice to members of the public who aren’t able to access support. Following great success and expansion, demand has grown for the Centre’s services and the recruitment of volunteer solicitors and practising legal professionals has become crucial. If you are a practising solicitor, we would welcome your input and support within the Clinics. We understand that your time is precious, and we can work with you in a variety of ways that can maximise the time you have available.
You could work with students on their cases in a mentoring capacity to aid their professional development and learning. We can work up a volunteering plan and role that aligns with the amount of time you have each week or month. Volunteering can be flexible to fit around you and your schedule to create a valuable experience.
You will shape the future workforce of law professionals and build on your own mentoring experience. There will also be opportunities to connect with your fellow volunteer supervisors and build a local network.
Our Roles
Graduate Mentor
New graduates providing insight into their career progression and case support and experience to Student Advisors
Training Mentor
Knowledgeable in a field of Law that is crucial to the learning and development of the students. The training mentor will provide training on their area of expertise and advice on their field, but not supporting on cases.
Pro-Bono and no, win, no fee cases
Handled by practicing Solicitors, either in their own personal time volunteering for the clinic or within their professional employment/practice.
Professional Support
Qualified or experienced professionals in their field (i.e. non-practicing), they will support the Student Advisors with their cases, under the overall supervision of the clinic solicitor.
Becoming a mentor
If you are interested in guiding the future of the legal profession from grassroots level whilst also growing as a professional mentor, we would be delighted to hear from you.
You can also email us at GCLC@rgu.ac.uk if you would like to make an informal enquiry.
Meet the team
Rebecca Cox
Law Centre Manager & Solicitor
Rebecca Cox is the Law Centre Manager who is an experienced, practicing solicitor and law lecturer within the School of Law and Social Sciences at RGU.
Rachel O’Neill
Lecturer
Rachel O’Neill is a Lecturer within the School of Law and Social Sciences and a former student at RGU. She is experienced in Operation Management and the Private Rented Sector.
Kim Harkness
Lecturer
They are also assisted by Kim Harkness who is a Lecturer within the School of Law and Social Sciences.
Student Management Team
The Student Management Team is made up of a group of student advisors, who have volunteered additional time to fulfil the student management roles and have designated responsibilities for the centre and support for the student advisor. The SMT meet regularly to discuss the progress and operation of the centre, and support the academic staff with the centres smooth running.
- Student Director
- Training Manager
- EDI Ambassador
- Social Media Manager
- Communications Manager
Student Advisors
Student Advisors from across undergraduate and postgraduate law courses at RGU, operating within the Centre under the guidance of the Centre academic staff.
As the Centre is student-led, a Student Management Team exists to assist with decisions in relation to its structure and operation.
Our Partners
We have partnered with several established agencies and charities to work to best effect as a law centre. Our partners provide both our student advisors and clients with valuable assistance.
Aberdeen Climate Action is a volunteer-run organisation in Aberdeen that aims to prompt action on climate change and sustainable practices in North East Scotland.
The Access to Justice Foundation is a charity which raises money to ensure vulnerable people can access the legal help and support they need, with one of the key fundraisers being their annual legal walks.
The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) is a national charity that helps people across the UK protect and improve their local environment through use of the law.
The Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) is a charity that promotes environmental justice by using the law to improve protection and restoration of the environment.
The Faculty of Advocates can provide advice and representation from advocates free of charge through the Free Legal Services Unit to clients that qualify.
The King’s Community Foundation is a charity based in Aberdeen who aim to help people in communities by assisting those in crisis and building a care network, which includes the operation of the Bridge Centre in Torry.
The Law Society of Scotland is the professional body for Scottish solicitors which ensures a high standard of legal services in Scotland through their regulatory duties.
LawWorks is a charity based in England and Wales who assist those in need of free legal advice by connecting them with volunteer lawyers.
The Orkney Blide Trust is a charity based in Kirkwall that provides mental health support to those living in Orkney.
Pro Bono Skills assists law students who do pro bono work through provision of quality training resources and events.
River Dee Medical Group operate Torry Medical Practice and provide NHS primary care services to help those in the community manage their health and wellbeing.
The Scottish Child Law Centre provides free and confidential legal advice regarding children and young people in Scotland.
The Scottish Social Services Council is a public body responsible for the regulation of social work, social care, and children and young people services in Scotland.
The Scottish University Law Clinic Network (SULCN) is an initiative that brings together, and raises awareness of, student law clinics in Scotland.
The UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) is a charity that assembles lawyers and others interested in animal protection law to share and harness expertise for the benefit of animals.