The new term at BPP is beginning, new students have enrolled and inductions days are happening as I write. The summer is the time when we review the Clinic at BPP. Once again, it was a very successful year. As ever I am overwhelmed by the dedication of BPP students and learners (apprentices) and the support from external solicitors and barristers who give up their time to supervise cases pro bono.
Demand for our service remains high, and we are simply and sadly unable to meet the need. But for the people that we do advise it is clear from the feedback that we make a real difference to their lives. Good quality legal advice goes beyond the immediate legal issue. It has the capacity to improve mental health and wellbeing as well as improve people’s material circumstances. Access to justice requires that everyone, regardless of means, is able to access that advice. In that we are very proud to have played our part.
The BPP Clinic has a second aim, to prepare our students and learners for practice. We do so by providing a controlled, supervised and structured real-life opportunity for students to advise clients. We also employ trainee solicitors, thus preparing the social welfare lawyers of the future. In the words of one student:
“Volunteering as a clinic assistant has been a huge milestone for me, and it has been incredible. It gave me a real firsthand look at how the legal advice process works in practice, from learning how to navigate emotional conversations with clients to writing clear correspondences to student advisors. I genuinely love being able to step in and support people when they need it most. More than anything, this role did not just prepare me to kick-start my legal career; it completely proved to me that I am on the right track.“
Delivering free legal advice is not without challenges. Cases are undoubtedly more complex. Clients’ needs are multifaceted. AI presents a new challenge, with clients using it to complete the form to seek advice (resulting in long and difficult to understand forms), prepare their cases (which we then spend time unravelling) and in some cases running the advice we provide through Chat GPT. Despite these challenges, running pro bono advice Clinics is extremely rewarding and it is a huge pleasure to read the feedback from clients. As one client said:
“Lowered stress levels; felt listened to and understood; cleared the fog of the legal process; gave advice on the next steps to take; not sure how I would have worked through this process without the support. Thanks to the students, the Supervising solicitor and the clinic Manager. Greatly appreciated.”
The year in numbers:
• 1,972 enquiries received
• 506 clients were advised
• 85% client satisfaction rate
• 369 student volunteers
• 109 external volunteer supervisors
• 11,973 pro bono hours
• £144,754.29 recovered for clients
• 6 Trainee Solicitors undertook part of their QWE training with the BPP Legal Advice Clinic.
• 1 Advice Quality Standard (AQS), which reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality advice, effective case management and excellent client service.
• 1 Jonathan Goldsmith Award for Best Contribution by an In-House Team or In-House Solicitor awarded to the Social Impact Team at BPP at the 2025 LawWorks Pro Bono Awards.
The Clinics continued to grow and expand their impact this year. The number of clients advised increased significantly from 397 to 506, reflecting a greater proportion of enquiries progressing to advice.
Student engagement also rose, with 369 student volunteers participating across the Clinics, compared with 343 the previous year. Notably, pro bono hours more than doubled, rising from 4,910 to 11,973 hours. This increase reflects not only the higher number of clients advised during the year, but also the increasingly complex nature of the matters handled by the Clinics. Many cases required ongoing support, including preparation for and representation before courts and tribunals. Improved time-recording practices have also enabled us to capture more accurately the full extent of the contribution made by our students, trainees, volunteer supervisors and staff.
The final words come from a client:
“I would like to thank you and your team for bringing humanity and dignity back into what has been an especially trying process. Your work is invaluable.”
