Law and Policy Clinics

In Goldsmiths’ Law and Policy Clinics students confront challenging societal issues through supervised legal research and public engagement activity.

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Areas of research and public engagement activity covered by the Clinic include immigration, the law of financial wrongdoing, police interrogation and counter-terrorism law.

Students work in small groups under the supervision of academic members of staff and external partners including legal professionals and NGO experts.

During the course of their LLB Law degree, Goldsmiths Law students have the opportunity to register with different branches of the Law & Policy Clinic, engaging with a wide range of areas of law and policy and contributing to a variety of projects.

Law & Policy Clinic projects normally run for a semester.

The participation of students from other departments is warmly welcome, but the number of students that can be admitted into the Clinic will vary depending on the specific project. The work of the Clinic is of special interest to students from:

Students participate in timetabled activities, including attending regular Clinic branch meetings at Goldsmiths, visiting external partners and ‘clients’ of the Clinic and taking part in related external activities.

Law & Policy Clinic activities include:

  • researching case law, legislation and legal scholarship, and disseminating legal research through traditional means and modern online platforms
  • supporting the work of potential ‘clients’ including NGOs and charities
  • liaising with stakeholders
  • participating in the delivery of school workshops (e.g. to A level students) to raise awareness about related issues and engaging, in other ways, with local communities
  • supporting the delivery of research-based professional training in related areas
  • contributing to Goldsmiths Law responses to formal consultations

Students develop critical thinking skills and knowledge in law and policy issues, as well as invaluable transferable skills such as social awareness, self-management, and acting with integrity in professional environments. 

Students also develop important cross-professional skills such as speaking with confidence in public, writing for professional audiences, using modern communication technologies and engaging responsibly with stakeholders and external audiences.