Community law clinic reaches milestone

Solent Law Clinic, a free legal service delivered by Southampton Solent University and award-winning legal firm, Dutton Gregory, has served more than 100 community members in just three months.

Launched in February 2025, the Clinic was set up to enhance accessibility to legal services while giving LLB (Hons) Law students the opportunity to gain client experience, supported by Dutton Gregory’s Head of Family, Jonathan Whettingsteel.

Since its inception, the University is delighted to share that the Clinic has already reached a significant milestone, having served more than 100 clients. Totally free, the Clinic runs two afternoons a week at Southampton Solent University’s city-centre campus on East Park Terrace.

Run collaboratively, showcasing the way industry and higher education can work together to make a difference locally, the Clinic provides free legal advice in matters of housing and family law. One client says:

"The service was professional and highly reassuring to me in terms of understanding my rights and likely outcomes around my personal situation linked to family law. Thank you so much for your help."

Client results have been hugely positive in Solent Law Clinic’s first quarter, with 100% satisfaction among service users. More than 70% of clients have also had their matter concluded, which highlights how additional services like these can relieve pressure on existing providers.

One story of success saw second-year Law student, Renata Rusu play a key role in securing housing for a client in their late 70s. Supported by Dutton Gregory and expert academics at Solent, Renata skillfully drafted an occupation order, which has since been awarded and will ensure the client is able to stay in their home. The client says:

"I'm so grateful for the help from the law clinic, I don't know what I would have done without them. I think I may well have been homeless at this point. They were really clear about the options I had in dealing with my situation. I'm so pleased."

On the importance and impact of Solent Law Clinic, Interim Head of Business and Law, Marco Mongiello, says:

"We are proud that, in just three months, we have provided support to 100 members of the community through free legal advice. This service is only possible thanks to our dedicated partners at Dutton Gregory, as well as Solent's Course Leader for Law, Brad Kershaw. As a civic university, we are committed to utilising the expertise of our staff and students, as well as our resources, to positively impact lives, and Solent Law Clinic is the latest example of how we do that effectively.

“Our students have embraced the opportunity to be involved, and as a practice-led university it has been heartening to see their professionalism and sensitivity so early on in their careers. Collaborations between industry and education achieve great things for cities, and we look forward to developing more in the years to come."

Supported by Dutton Gregory’s specialist legal practitioners, Law students at Solent volunteer their time at the Clinic to gain practice-led experience which will help them turn their studies into a meaningful career. Second-year undergraduate, Erica Ramos, says:

"In three months of working face-to-face with clients, providing next steps during appointments or follow-up emails, I’ve seen my confidence and knowledge grow. I catch myself saying things I once heard Jonathan say, without realising it stuck!

“Seeing clients leave reassured or grateful that we can guide them to other parties or organisations has been an invaluable experience I wouldn’t get in a classroom."

Solent Law Clinic is open every Tuesday and Friday, 3 to 7pm. Find out more about Solent Law Clinic, and book an appointment, here.