As part of the Sheffield Court Help Desk, students will train to act as “McKenzie friends”, external, who help people navigate court procedures and understand court documentation.
“For many people, attending court can be a daunting and confusing experience, particularly without professional legal representation,” Millan said.
“This partnership will enable our students to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting while supporting people who may otherwise find the court process overwhelming.”
While the help desk will not give legal advice, it will offer free support to people who cannot afford representation but do not meet the eligibility criteria for legal aid, as well as those who chose to represent themselves.
Sarah Faraj, 20, a law student at Sheffield Hallam University, has recently trained to become a McKenzie friend.
“Not everyone who goes to court has an idea about how it works and what they might expect. So we can help them understand that,” she said.
“We also have to recognise that visiting court is a really emotional experience, and we actively listen and show empathy.”
A Law Society spokesperson said: “We support and promote the contribution of solicitors undertaking pro bono work, along with the Law School initiatives.
“But pro bono is no substitute for a properly funded legal aid system, which supports us in times of need.
“Pro bono should complement publicly funded legal services and not be relied upon to fill gaps caused by underfunding.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “Access to justice is vital, and we spent £854m on family legal aid last year.
“While Sheffield currently has twelve family and three housing legal aid providers, we know there is more to do to ensure people can access the support they need.
“That’s why we continue to invest in legal support services and actively monitor the legal aid market.”
