ÌÇÐÄVlog

Co-Student Director

Courtney is a third year LLB student, who has been an active member of the Clinic since her first year. Courtney began her time in the Clinic as a part of the Innocence project and has since participated in various outreach programs and a variety of casework, taking a particular interest in family law. Courtney’s dedication to the Clinic has allowed her to take on cases while on placement and achieve her gold membership. After witnessing the difficulties for legal aid in family law, Courtney is committed to improving access to justice for our local community. Once graduated, Courtney aims to become a solicitor using the skills she has developed within her role in the Clinic to support vulnerable members of the community.

Co-Student Director

Favor is a final-year undergraduate LLB student who has been a committed member of the Clinic since her first year. She has undertaken multiple projects throughout her time in the Clinic, including the housing and homelessness project and the Next Chapter outreach programme. Through these projects, Favor has contributed to supporting vulnerable individuals within Colchester and has been able to work with a diverse range of clients. As a Student Director, Favor is eager to raise community awareness of their legal rights and promote access to justice. She is dedicated to cultivating a positive and inclusive environment for students, staff and clients within the community. Once Favor graduates, she plans to become a solicitor and continue using the skills she gained from the Clinic to champion justice accessibility.

Co-Deputy Student Director

Kwai is a second-year undergraduate LLB student. During her first year, she maintained an active role in the Clinic and participated in the Immigration Project. Volunteering has taught Kwai the importance of access to justice and legal advocacy for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access the legal system. Alongside helping members of the community as a volunteer, Kwai has also taken the role of support peers within the Clinic and is a first point of contact for its member. After graduation, she looks forward to undertaking a career as a solicitor, but hopes to be able to maintain pro-bono work to continue to support the community.

Co-Deputy Student Director

Sarah is in the final year of her Double Degree in French and English Law She has been actively involved in the Clinic, earning her place in the Miscarriages of Justice and Social Security Projects. Her work has included supporting the appeal of an unsafe conviction, interviewing vulnerable clients, assisting clients with complex welfare forms, and drafting appeals. This year, she continues her involvement as a caseworker and Social Security Project member, while also supporting new Welfare Benefits Project members. Recognised for her dedicated, collaborative, and thoughtful approach, Sarah is committed to contributing meaningfully to the Clinic. As a society board member, a former Law Star, and a content writer for a legal blog, her experiences have strengthened her communication, leadership, and organisational skills, all of which she brings to her role as Co-Deputy Student Director. She aspires to become a solicitor advocate in commercial law, while continuing to dedicate time to pro bono work and promoting access to justice. Sarah cares deeply about welfare, equality, and inclusion, and is committed to supporting these values through her present and future work.

Social Security Law Project Lead

Claire has 40 years’ experience working as a welfare rights advisor in both local authorities and third sector organisations such as Citizens Advice. Over four decades she has assisted 1000’s of clients to successfully challenge adverse welfare benefit decisions. In addition, Claire has initiated, managed and worked on numerous welfare benefit take-up campaigns which have enabled many of the most disadvantaged members society to access the much-needed financial support to which they are entitled. In 2023 Claire approached the Law Clinic, whilst employed by Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), with the idea of working with law students to increase her capacity to help CBH tenants to maximise their income. Since then she has worked closely with a number of students mentoring them as they have assisted clients and inspiring them to consider social security law as an area in which they could forge a rewarding career.