The Legal Advice Centre, Royal Holloway Law School, University of London
The Legal Advice Centre is seeking enthusiastic and committed students to join our team of Volunteer Student Advisers for the 2026/2027 academic year. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with real clients on real legal matters while making a meaningful contribution to improving access to justice within the community. Whether you are considering a career in law or another profession, the Centre provides invaluable practical experience and the opportunity to develop transferable skills highly valued by employers.
About Us
Our Legal Advice Centre provides free, confidential legal information and initial advice to members of the public. The service is delivered by trained Student Advisers, who work under the supervision of qualified legal professionals to ensure clients receive a professional and reliable service.
We currently advise in the following areas:
• Contract, consumer and civil litigation
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Family law
• Personal injury
• Wills and probate
The Centre works closely with a number of leading law firms and community organisations, including:
• LawWorks
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors
• Horne Engall and Freeman Solicitors
• Creighton and Partners
• Circe Law
• Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors
• Zakia Khalid, Freelance Solicitor
• Afghanistan & Central Asian Association
• Baker McKenzie
• Lawstop
For further information, please visit our website: royalholloway.ac.uk/legaladvicecentre
Role Overview
As a Volunteer Student Adviser, you'll play an active role in supporting clients who require legal assistance. Working under the supervision of the Director, supervising solicitors and our professional partners, you will gain practical experience of client care, legal research, case management, and professional legal practice.
Our Legal Advice Clinics are normally held on Wednesday afternoons (1.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.) during term time.
While attendance every Wednesday is not required, Student Advisers must:
• Attend compulsory training sessions
• Attend all allocated client interviews in person at the Egham campus
• Meet deadlines associated with their cases
Student Advisers are typically allocated approximately four client matters per academic year. Each matter typically requires around eight hours of work and may involve:
• Managing and maintaining client files
• Conducting conflict of interest checks
• Undertaking legal research using professional legal databases
• Preparing for client interviews
• Conducting client interviews and taking attendance notes
• Drafting advice letters and referral briefs
• Corresponding with clients and partner organisations
• Completing follow-up actions on client matters
• Closing client files in accordance with Centre procedures
• Working collaboratively with fellow Student Advisers
• Participating in supervision meetings
• Reflecting on personal development and performance
• Attending training sessions and professional development events.
While much of this work can be completed flexibly around your studies, attendance at client interviews and training sessions is mandatory. Students must ensure that they are able to meet all deadlines and commitments associated with their allocated matters and provide a professional and reliable service to clients throughout the academic year.
While much of this work can be completed flexibly around your studies, attendance at client interviews and training sessions is mandatory. Students must ensure that they are able to meet all deadlines and commitments associated with their allocated matters and provide a professional and reliable service to clients throughout the academic year.
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
For students considering qualification as a solicitor, work undertaken on live client matters at the Legal Advice Clinic may count towards the Solicitors Regulation Authority's Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) requirements, subject to SRA regulations and supervision arrangements.
What You'll Gain
By joining the Legal Advice Centre, you will have the opportunity to:
• Work directly with real clients
• Develop practical legal and professional skills
• Strengthen your legal research and analytical abilities
• Improve your confidence in client interviewing and communication
• Gain experience working within a professional legal environment
• Receive tailored feedback and mentoring
• Build relationships with practising solicitors and legal professionals
• Enhance your CV and future job applications
• Demonstrate your commitment to social justice and public service
Many of our former Student Advisers have gone on to secure training contracts, paralegal roles, work placements, and other graduate opportunities within the legal sector and beyond.
Key Attributes
We welcome applications from students of all academic disciplines who are currently enrolled at Royal Holloway, University of London, and will remain enrolled during the 2026/2027 academic year.
Applicants should demonstrate:
• A strong commitment to helping others
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism and reliability
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• The ability to work effectively in a team
• Empathy, compassion and resilience
• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities
• An interest in social justice and access to legal support
No prior legal experience is required.
Training and Development
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive training covering:
• Contract, consumer and civil litigation law
• Landlord and tenant law
• Family law
• Personal injury law
• Wills and probate law
• Client interviewing skills
• Professional ethics and confidentiality
• Legal research techniques
• File management and GDPR compliance
• Professional communication
• Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
Training is delivered by Legal Advice Centre staff, practising solicitors, barristers, and other legal professionals.
Supervision and Support
Student Advisers will receive ongoing support and supervision from:
Thanh Pham, Director and Supervising Solicitor
Students will also benefit from regular one-to-one supervision meetings, personalised feedback, and career guidance throughout the year.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the Student Adviser Application Form using the link below:
The Legal Advice Centre Student Adviser application form 2026/2027 – Fill in form
Application Deadline
9.00 a.m. on Monday 12 October 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
