Hannah Paige Park (CLE 22/23 module student) writes how participating in a law clinic was an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience for her. 

The Performing Arts clinic was definitely one of the highlights of my final year. As a law student, I had always been interested in combining the formal education with the practical experience. At the Performing Arts Clinic, we learn by doing; getting first-hand experience advising organizations on a variety of issues to service charities within the sector. This has been a wholly unique experience as our clinic operates differently from every other law clinic. We’ve been able to go through the motions of researching legal issues and advising clients on urgent business needs that require quick attention.

One of the things that I appreciated most about the law clinic was the opportunity to work on actual cases under the guidance of an experienced solicitor. Not only did I gain valuable hands-on experience, but I also received constructive feedback on my work, which helped me to improve my skills as a lawyer. This was invaluable to actively practice reflective thinking in order to promote our craft. Our cases speak for themselves, clients remaining incredibly satisfied with our work output as the performance arts sector has been suffering through the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. The charities we support are coming up to unique challenges that require delicate, nuanced support in order to keep the arts alive and accessible within this country.

Overall, participating in the Performing Arts Clinic was an incredibly enriching experience that helped me to grow both personally and professionally. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to use my legal skills to make a positive impact in the sector by assisting to advise charities and to work alongside inspiring academics and practitioners who are dedicated to promoting access to justice while enriching our education. I would recommend any student with the opportunity to participate in this type of work, that’s so close to actual solicitor tasks, that they advocate for themselves and this type of programming in order to better prepare for the world ahead. 

Blog by: Hannah Page Park, 2023 graduate, Performing Arts Clinic