Sheffield Hallam University creates first student law firm

Sheffield Hallam University has become the first university to set up a fully functioning law firm so that its students can gain work experience during their studies. SHU Law is a not-for-profit alternative business structure (ABS) that was licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in January.

The aim of the firm is to incorporate practical work experience into every year of the LLB undergraduate course. Students in their first year will undertake six-weeks’ ethics and induction training at SHU Law, and will focus on contentious, non-contentious, public legal education, practice policy and research, and law in practice in their second and third years.

Two solicitors will work at the firm full time and students will be supervised in their work. The firm will take on both fee-paying and pro bono cases, depending on the merits of the particular case. The university has also emphasised that the firm will not compete with local firms.

Professor Elizabeth Smart, head of law at the university, said: “By placing our students at the centre of a live client clinical environment we are creating a unique learning opportunity that’s reflective of real-life practice. Legal education is nothing without a strong dose of commercial acumen.”