Launch of the 2026–27 Collaborative Legal Aid Clinics
On 27 October, the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights welcomed 12 students to the launch of this year's Collaborative Legal Aid Clinics programme, run jointly with the Centre for Criminology and the law firm of Turpin & Miller.
Each year, the programme runs two collaborative legal aid clinics providing legal assistance to individuals in UK prisons. The first is an in-person clinic for prisoners at HMP Huntercombe and the second is an online clinic for foreign national women in prisons throughout the country. Both clinics work with prisoners who are facing immigration-related matters without legal representation.
At the launch event, solicitors from Turpin & Miller, Tom Giles and Jodie Tyler, introduced the programme, met the participating students, and answered questions. Professor Mary Bosworth and Dr Eliza Bechtold also contributed to the introductory seminar, which provided an overview of the basic principles of immigration and asylum law, interview techniques, and the ethics of providing legal advice in prisons.
Over the coming academic year, students will spend one day per month working at one of the clinics, either at HMP Huntercombe or from the offices of Turpin & Miller. Participating students will be supervised by an experienced solicitor and will receive hands-on experience in immigration and human rights law.
Students will assist in interviewing potential clients and with case follow-up, gaining expertise in carrying out country research, preparing tribunal bundles, taking statements, and liaising with prisons and relevant third parties.
The programme addresses an urgent human rights need arising from cuts in legal aid, which mean that the costs of initial consultations with prisoners are not always covered. The clinics guarantee an initial consultation for prisoners facing deportation and other legal issues and enable Turpin & Miller to secure legal aid for them, where possible.
The programme also offers Oxford University students who wish to develop careers in human rights and immigration law the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience.