What OLA do

Oxford Legal Assistance engages the talent and dedication of Oxford law students in order to help members of the community. The programme focuses on assisting solicitors with fixed-fee legal aid cases by allowing students to interview clients in order to record the details of their case. This activity usually involves drafting client statements. The client benefits from the programme because solicitors are then able to focus on the legal aspects of the case whilst the Student Assistant is able to find out all the information relevant to each case from the client. Moreover, Student Assistants benefit from Oxford Legal Assistance as they are able to experience areas of the law that are not part of the degree programme and to have practical experience of the law. Additionally, Student Assistants are able to assist fellow members of their local community.

Oxford Legal Assistance partners with local firms to provide this service. In 2009 when the programme began, Oxford Legal Assistance partnered with Turpin & Miller solicitors of Oxford with students attending the firm every Tuesday afternoon to run the clinic. The students focused on Immigration and Asylum cases and it was clear that the programme was very successful as many cases progressed quickly and new clients could be introduced to the firm.

It is envisaged that the Oxford Legal Assistance model could be implemented in other firms and we are always looking for new possibilities. Please see the New Clinics section for more information.