Nottinghamshire's residents have been benefiting from virtual legal advice during lockdown thanks to the efforts of students from Nottingham Law School.
The students have helped residents with issues including employment, business support, criminal law, family law, and court representation.
The law school, at Nottingham Trent University, features a 'Legal Advice Centre' that usually provides face-to-face support.
However, when the Centre had to close its doors due to Covid-19 in March, staff and students began to devise new ways of working to ensure clients continued to be represented during lockdown - particularly online methods.
Supervised by qualified solicitors, the students support clients with a range of legal issues either through modules within the curriculum, or by volunteering in addition to their study.
Jack Stuart, 24, is studying to become a barrister and during lockdown he has been advising clients at various stages of their cases, from pre-action, to settlement negotiations and advice on appeals.
He said: “As physical presence in our courthouses and law offices has downsized, clients’ cases remain unresolved and many more people find themselves in the middle of new disputes, and we have been pleased to continue offering our services to those who need them.
“It has been encouraging to see that we can still make ourselves available to clients needing help in these new circumstances."
The students, many of whom have returned home during the pandemic, have made themselves available to the Nottinghamshire community by setting up virtual conferences with clients.
The Legal Advice Centre was the first of its kind when it was granted an ABS (Alternative Business Structure) licence to operate as a fully regulated law firm in 2015.
Annete Kalombodza, 21, is studying LLB Law and has been advising on a case involving whistleblowing, harassment and discrimination.
She said: “While using virtual means of communication the level of support is altered. As a volunteer, the way I have tried to support clients during the pandemic is by providing a space for the client to be able to speak freely.”
Laura Pinkney, head of the Legal Advice Centre, said: “Being flexible and resilient are very important skills for students to take into their working life. As more legal work begins to move online in the future, this experience has taught them how to adapt their work and manage client relationships remotely, both as individuals and as a team."
