CLOCK (Litigants in Person)
“The CLOCK programme provides students with the opportunity to appreciate the law in action and its practical effects. It reminds us that as future lawyers, a crucial part of our job is to bridge the gap between textbook law and the people seeking justice.”
(Brittany April Collura Stewart; CLOCK Legal Companion)
CLOCK - Time for Justice is an unprecedented and effective initiative established in 2016 as joint collaboration between the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton. The project was first launched in 2012 by the School of Law at Keele University.
The CLOCK project allows students to become legal companions and assist litigants in person (who do not have access to legal aid). Before assisting litigants in person, CLOCK legal companions will attend a five-day training programme.
Information for Students
What will you do as CLOCK legal companion and where you will be
CLOCK legal companions support the litigants in person, help them to complete court forms and assist during the hearings and with the preparation of legal bundles. In so doing CLOCK legal companions provide concrete help to litigants who face barriers in accessing justice. CLOCK legal companions are not allowed to give legal advice.
CLOCK legal companions are available at the Family Court and County Court in Brighton from Monday to Friday.
Why CLOCK is important for you
The project is innovative, original and of practical support. Being part of CLOCK means that you will have a significant impact on the local community helping litigants in person to achieve access to justice, and you will contribute to increase the expertise and research impact of the University of Sussex. All these aspects will be very important for your future career in a variety of sectors.
Time commitment: students will have to attend the CLOCK 5 day training programme in September. The training is divided into five sections:
Academic training;
- Legal training;
- Third sector training;
- Court training guidance and forms;
- Legal training in court.
Students will be required to be in court for at least two hours a week during term time.
The CLOCK project is led by Maria Moscati and Jeanette Ashton
