College of Law send students out to be street lawyers

The College of Law students are being sent to rehab, jail and out onto the streets to bring law to the people.

The Store Street branch in London is leading the march onto the streets with 24 students doing a two-day stretch at Wormwood Scrubs, advising prisoners on their human rights.

Another 12 students are set to visit a detoxification centre in Lambeth.

A further 20 students will be advising the homeless this Christmas along with Freshfields, Linklaters and Clyde & Co, which are backing the CRISIS London Open Christmas scheme.

College of Law chief executive Nigel Savage said the idea was not new.

Forty years ago Georgetown University in Washington DC pioneered a 'street law' programme.

Mr Savage said: 'Some of us are 60s socialists.

It's all coming out now.'

Although the students will not receive credits towards their legal qualifications, Mr Savage said: 'They are getting some real experience of life out there.'

Anne Mizzi