University of Strathclyde Law Clinic

What University of Strathclyde Law Clinic does

The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic is a student-led, solicitor-supervised non-profit legal clinic founded in 2003 by Professor Donald Nicolson OBE and operated as part of the University of Strathclyde (a Scottish charitable body, registration SC015263). It is recognised as Scotland's largest and most active law clinic and one of the few in Scotland that provides full representation services rather than advice only. Core delivery is casework in employment, housing, consumer, and immigration law for individuals who fall between legal aid eligibility and the ability to pay for private representation, supplemented by a bi-monthly Initial Advice Clinic staffed by volunteer solicitors, an Online Project providing written advice, an Asylum Project (TAP), a Criminal Appeals Unit working with the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation, and Public Legal Education programmes delivered through a Schools Project (six partner secondary schools) and a Prisons Project at HMP Low Moss since 2010.

Beyond these established streams, the clinic participates in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre collaboration with Rape Crisis Scotland and Just Right Scotland (launched 22 April 2015), and in 2024 launched an Environmental Justice Project with Strathclyde Alumni Fund backing, partnering with the Climate Justice Legal Initiative and supporting the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights. Cumulatively the clinic has secured over £2.3 million in client outcomes since inception, including over £170,000 in 2024-25 and a landmark five-figure Long Covid disability discrimination settlement. Technology is non-proprietary: a Clipped UK Ltd case management system, a WordPress website, and standard UK GDPR-compliant data handling on University servers. There are no patents, trademarks, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating. All client services are free; funding flows from individual and alumni donations (processed via the University alumni portal), grants such as the £10,000 Blue Moon Trust donation in 2025 and Strathclyde Alumni Fund support, Scottish Government funding routed through the Scottish Legal Aid Board for SWRC services, and institutional support from the University of Strathclyde covering core staff salaries, premises, and operational infrastructure across two Glasgow campus locations (Lord Hope Building and Graham Hills Buildings) plus the HMP Low Moss outreach site. Customer acquisition is community-led via word-of-mouth, referrals from Citizens Advice Bureau, schools, prisons, and partner organisations, supported by organic social media (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram) and an email newsletter.

Name

University of Strathclyde Law Clinic

Legal name

University of Strathclyde Law Clinic

Website

https://lawclinic.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic is Scotland's largest student-led, solicitor-supervised law clinic, providing free legal advice and representation in employment, housing, consumer, and immigration matters to Glasgow-area individuals who fall between legal aid eligibility and ability to pay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pro Bono Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (54111), Legal Services (5411), Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAIAG

Clinical Legal Education & Legal Aid Clinics (Law School–Run)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Law Schools

SECONDARYBPAGAEAM

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAIAFAC

Public Defense & Legal Aid Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Justice System (Courts, Prosecution & Corrections)

SECONDARYBPADAHAE

Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Refugee, Migration & Displacement Services

Keywords

• Pro bono legal services
• Clinical legal education
• Access to justice
• Public legal education
• Free legal representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: The clinic accepts single and regular donations from the public through the University of Strathclyde alumni portal. Donations are processed via the university's charitable giving infrastructure.
2. Grants and Funded Projects: The clinic receives grants from various organisations including the Blue Moon Trust (£10,000 donation), Strathclyde Alumni Fund (funding for Environmental Justice Project and summer students), and Scottish Government funding via Scottish Legal Aid Board for Scottish Women's Rights Centre services.
3. University Support: The clinic operates as part of the University of Strathclyde Law School and receives institutional support including staff salaries, office space, and operational infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Free legal advice and representation services delivered by student advisors under qualified solicitor supervision in employment, housing, consumer, and immigration law. The clinic operates multiple service streams including bi-monthly Initial Advice Clinics, casework representation, online written advice, an asylum project, and a criminal appeals unit in collaboration with MOJO. Beyond casework, it delivers public legal education through the Schools Project and Prisons Project and partners with the Scottish Women's Rights Centre to support women experiencing gender-based violence.

Product overview

The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic is Scotland's largest law clinic, providing free legal advice and representation to individuals who cannot afford legal services but do not qualify for legal aid. Its core offering is student-led casework (employment, housing, consumer, and immigration law) supervised by qualified solicitors. The clinic operates multiple service streams: the bi-monthly Initial Advice Clinic (IAC) for in-person solicitor consultations; the Online Project for one-off written advice via email; the Asylum Project (TAP) for immigration and asylum cases; and the Criminal Appeals Unit working with MOJO. Beyond direct casework, the clinic runs Public Legal Education initiatives — the Schools Project (delivering sessions in 6 secondary schools via mock trials and interactive workshops) and the Prisons Project (weekly sessions at HMP Low Moss on rehabilitation and employment). It participates in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre (SWRC) collaboration providing a legal helpline for gender-based violence survivors. The Environmental Justice Project conducts climate litigation research, and the clinic also publishes SSSC Fitness to Practice resources, employment and housing law guides, and annual reports. All services are delivered primarily by student advisors under qualified solicitor supervision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Casework Services
• Initial Advice Clinic (IAC)
• Online Project One-off written advice letters provided to clients, primarily assisting with Simple Procedure and other civil claims, delivered remotely via email through the clinic's website.
• Asylum Project (TAP) Specialised legal support for asylum seekers and immigration cases, providing advice and representation for clients navigating the asylum process.
• Criminal Appeals Unit Assists individuals seeking to overturn criminal convictions, working in collaboration with the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO).
• Scottish Women's Rights Centre (SWRC) Collaboration Partnership project with Rape Crisis Scotland and Just Right Scotland providing a legal helpline and casework support for women experiencing gender-based violence. Helpline runs Monday afternoon, Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, and Friday morning.
• Schools Project Public legal education sessions delivered in 6 local secondary schools (Hermitage Academy, Castlemilk High School, St Roch's Secondary School, Our Lady & St Patrick's High School, Drumchapel High School, and Govan High School) covering criminal/civil law, employment law, consumer law, the Children's Hearing System, anti-social behaviour, and cyber-bullying through interactive mock trials, quizzes, and workshops.
• Prisons Project Weekly presentations at HMP Low Moss covering the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and employment re-entry advice as part of the induction course for new prisoners. Also contributes to the Thinking Minds Program for mental health support.
• Environmental Justice Project (EJP) Research and advocacy project on climate litigation and environmental justice, funded by the Strathclyde Alumni Fund. Collaborates with the Climate Justice Legal Initiative (C2LI) and supports the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights through background research for thematic reports.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £2.3 million saved for clients since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Scottish Women's Rights Centre (SWRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2015The SWRC is a partnership project between Rape Crisis Scotland, University of Strathclyde Law Clinic, and Just Right Scotland. Launched on 22 April 2015, it provides access to justice for women experiencing gender-based violence. The clinic provides volunteers who assist solicitors with staffing helplines and casework support. Funded by Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Legal Aid Board.
• HMP Low Moss PrisoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Prisons Project partnership with HMP Low Moss since pilot in 2010. Students attend weekly to provide presentations as part of the Induction Course for new prisoners, focusing on Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and employment re-entry advice.
• Citizens Advice Scotland / Citizens Advice BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Citizens Advice Scotland offices including CAB Dumfries and Galloway and CAB Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey. Exchange of knowledge and exploration of potential collaborations. Many clients come to the clinic through CAB referrals. Both organisations share the goal of improving access to justice.
• Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent advisors speak to groups about their experiences working with MOJO on miscarriage of justice cases. Students volunteer to speak about their work and balance challenges with rewards of making a difference for clients who would not otherwise have a voice.
• Climate Justice Legal Initiative (C2LI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Environmental Justice Project (EJP). Students carried out research to help populate a climate litigation database as part of the project. C2LI is a partner organisation in the clinic's environmental justice work.
• UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human RightsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from the clinic offered support to the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur Elisa Morgera by carrying out background research for her first two thematic reports on intersectionality and access to information on climate change and human rights.
• Royal Faculty of Procurators in GlasgowmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe clinic joined as an Associate Practice Unit Member. Student Advisors can become members for £15 per academic year, gaining access to the faculty's library and extensive CPD programme. The faculty has maintained a law library since 1817.
• Secondary Schools NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 6 local secondary schools: Hermitage Academy, Castlemilk High School, St Roch's Secondary School, Our Lady & St Patrick's High School, Drumchapel High School, and Govan High School. Schools Project delivers public legal education to thousands of pupils annually.
• Scottish University Law Clinic Network (SULCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe clinic is a member of SULCN, an initiative bringing together and raising awareness of student law clinics in Scotland. Strathclyde hosted the 2024 annual SULCN Conference with theme 'Student Representation in Law Clinics: Building Skills and Addressing Fears'.
• Just Right ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre collaboration. At Just Right Scotland they believe in collaborative social justice, working with non-lawyers across sectors to pool expertise and resources for achieving human rights and increasing access to justice for women and children.
• Rape Crisis ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre collaboration. Provides advocacy support and expertise on gender-based violence issues. The partnership aims to ensure women in Scotland can access timely and appropriate legal advice and information.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Citizens Advice Scotland: Scotland-wide generalist advice network that refers clients into the Strathclyde clinic and works alongside it on access-to-justice initiatives. Overlapping client base (low-income individuals) and complementary (rather than competing) service scope.
• Shelter Scotland: Larger, established Scottish housing-advice provider. Overlaps directly with the clinic's housing law caseload and Housing Case Supervisor remit (Hoey), but operates at national scale with paid staff rather than a student volunteer model.
• LawWorks: UK-wide pro bono charity supporting law schools, law centres, and solicitor involvement in free legal services. Directly comparable pro bono mission and acts as a UK-level umbrella that the Strathclyde clinic engages with through SULCN and clinical legal education networks.
• Scottish Refugee Council: National specialist organisation providing advice and representation to asylum seekers — the same population served by the clinic's Asylum Project (TAP). Operates at significantly larger scale and serves as both a referral partner and indirect competitor for immigration casework.

Direct peers

• Edinburgh Law School Clinical Legal Education: University of Edinburgh's clinical legal education programmes, including its law clinic, are the closest comparable peer within Scotland — same law-school-run model, same access-to-justice mandate, and overlapping practice areas. Both clinics are members of the Scottish University Law Clinic Network (SULCN).
• Aberdeen Law Project: Student-led Scottish law clinic providing free legal advice and representation. Strathclyde staff and students have attended the Aberdeen Law Project Annual Lecture, indicating active peer interaction within SULCN.
• Scottish Women's Rights Centre: Joint venture partner (since 2015) between Rape Crisis Scotland, University of Strathclyde Law Clinic, and Just Right Scotland. Operates a legal helpline and casework service for women experiencing gender-based violence — directly comparable service offering and funding model (Scottish Government / SLAB).
• University of Glasgow School of Law Clinic: Direct same-city peer operating under the same Glasgow university umbrella and serving the same client population. Both clinics combine clinical legal education with pro bono casework and operate within the Scottish University Law Clinic Network.
• Just Right Scotland: Co-partner in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre and a like-minded collaborative social-justice organisation providing specialist legal services. Directly comparable mission, Scottish operating geography, and pro bono model.

Others

• Rape Crisis Scotland: Strategic partner in the Scottish Women's Rights Centre collaboration; complementary rather than directly competing. Comparable advocacy and survivor-support mission within Scotland's gender-based violence ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/strathlawclinic
• Facebookfacebook.com/strathlawclinic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-strathclyde-law-clinic
• Instagraminstagram.com/strathclydelawclinic

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Strathclyde Law Clinic