ABS licence makes Nottingham Law School a teaching law firm

Nottingham Law School's Legal Advice Centre (LAC) has become a teaching law firm after being granted alternative business structure (ABS) status by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The licence will give students the opportunity to work in a fully regulated organisation as part of their studies, replicating the professional environment and working practices of an external law firm.

The LAC traditionally handled housing, property and environmental cases, and welfare and employment issues. Now, however, its new ABS status gives it the flexibility to expand into new areas of legal advice.

The LAC is considering an entrepreneurial and intellectual property law service to offer advice for start-ups and social enterprises. Students will be fully-supervised by qualified solicitors.

Jenny Holloway, the associate dean of the law school, said: 'Ultimately the aim of this development is to enrich our student and community offering. The teaching law firm will provide outstanding educational opportunities for our students.

'As a university, community engagement is very important to us and operating as an ABS allows us to expand our services for the public good.'

The centre has already given more than 10,000 hours of free legal advice to the local community since its launch in new premises in June 2014. In excess of 220 students have been involved in the centre, providing assistance to more than 180 clients.

Perhaps most impressively, the LAC has successfully recovered in the region of £40,000 for clients with tribunal cases.

All of the law school's pro bono activity comes under the centre, including free representation for clients in local employment and social security tribunals and local community outreach projects, as well as facilitating overseas internships and international pro bono opportunities.

In addition, the centre runs the Miscarriage of Justice Project, part of Innocence Network UK, which aims to help overturn convictions given to factually innocent people and effect reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions.

Nick Johnson, the director of the LAC, said: 'The employment market is highly competitive and, along with academic excellence, graduates need to show that they've gained as much experience as possible during their studies.

'Operating as an ABS will give students at all levels the chance to experience a wide range of legal professional practice. The work will not only cover various areas of law, but will also teach students about issues relating to access to justice. We're preparing them to excel in their chosen profession.'