Legal Advice Centre

The Legal Advice Centre at The University of Manchester provides free, initial legal advice to members of the public.

Established in 1999, the Centre combines access to justice with clinical legal education, giving law students the opportunity to work on real legal problems under the supervision of academic staff and qualified volunteer lawyers.

Areas of law

We currently provide initial legal advice in the following areas:

  • Family law – including divorce, relationship breakdown, financial arrangements and issues concerning children.
  • Employment law – including unfair dismissal, disciplinary matters, grievances and redundancy.
  • Housing and landlord and tenant law – including deposits, disrepair, eviction and some housing-related disputes.
  • Wills and probate – including making a will and issues arising following someone's death.
  • Consumer and contract law – including disputes concerning goods and services, breach of contract and certain small claims.
  • Dementia and mental capacity – advice on legal issues relating to dementia and mental capacity.
  • Charities – legal advice for charities within the areas covered by our service.

Our advice is subject to eligibility, the nature of your legal problem and the availability of students and supervisors. If we are unable to assist, we will endeavour to signpost you to another appropriate service.

How our service works

The Legal Advice Centre provides free, initial, one-off legal advice. We do not provide ongoing representation, represent clients in court or at tribunals, or contact another party on a client's behalf.

All requests for advice are assessed before an appointment is offered. If your matter falls within our areas of practice and we are able to assist, you will normally meet with two or three student advisers, either in person or online. The students discuss your circumstances with you and research the relevant law under the supervision of a member of academic staff or a qualified volunteer lawyer.

Following the appointment, the students prepare written advice which is reviewed and approved by their supervisor before being sent to you. The process normally takes between two and four weeks following the appointment, although timescales can vary.

Manchester Free Legal Help

Manchester Free Legal Help provides an additional free legal advice service delivered with volunteer lawyers and University students. The current service provides short, one-off appointments on family law matters, with advice provided by a volunteer lawyer and students attending to record the advice.