Our Legal Advice Centre’s services
We provide free initial advice and information to the public in the following legal areas:
- Contract, consumer and general civil litigation
Contractual disputes, consumer issues, and small claims. - Landlord and tenant
Disrepair and issues with landlords and tenancies. Please note we cannot assist with imminent eviction or homelessness, nor do we advise landlords. - Family law
Divorce, child contact arrangements, ending a civil partnership, cohabitation disputes, financial matters, and maintenance. - Personal injury
Road traffic accidents, defective product claims, accidents at work, and public place injuries. Please note we only advise claimants/plaintiffs. - Wills and probate
The general probate process, the importance of a will and the intestacy rules, the process of creating/registering a Lasting Power of Attorney. - General information
Referrals and signposting for areas where we do not provide advice.
Please note that we provide initial advice only and do not handle casework or provide representation. Additionally, we do not accept urgent or complex cases.
Availability of sessions and booking information
Appointments are typically scheduled on Wednesday afternoons, 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm during our university term time. See availability below.
Legal Advice Centre - session dates and how to book
Available dates
Wednesday 2 October 2024
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Wednesday 30 October 2024
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Wednesday 20 November 2024
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Wednesday 4 December 2024
To request an appointment, please complete our enquiry form.
What to expect during your appointment
Appointments can be conducted via MS Teams or in-person at our campus in Egham.
A group of Student Advisors along with the Supervising Solicitor will be present during your appointment.
Our Student Advisors will take your instructions to gain a comprehensive understanding of your case. Please note that advice will not be provided during this initial appointment.
Following your appointment, our team will review your matter. If your matter is suitable for our assistance, we aim to provide you with written advice within four weeks of your appointment.
In certain situations, we may offer a second appointment to explain the written advice provided to you.
If we are unable to provide you with written advice, we may refer you to one of our partner law firms for initial free telephone consultation. We will obtain your written authority before referring your matter.
Instances where we cannot assist
There are certain circumstances where we may not be able to advise you. These include:
- Instances of conflict of interest.
- Urgent matters requiring immediate guidance.
- Needs for representation in court proceedings.
- Complex matters that surpass our capacity.
If, for any reasons, we cannot advise you or refer you to our partner law firms, we will let you know and offer relevant referral sources to assist you further.
Your privacy and personal information
In order to effectively address your inquiry, we might require certain personal information from you to assess the feasibility of providing assistance and to identify any potential conflicts of interest. Your personal information is collected, processed, and utilised in adherence with data protection laws.
Please note that if you do not provide us with certain essential personal information, we may not be able to conduct essential checks, and this could mean we cannot assist you.
For detailed information on how we manage the data you provide, we encourage you to review our privacy notice. This notice outlines how we manage and safeguard the information you share with us, ensuring your privacy and data security are maintained.
Street Law programme
What is Street Law?
Street Law is an educational initiative designed to make legal knowledge accessible to the general public. It involves students teaching practical legal topics to community members through interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations. The goal of Street Law is to help people understand their legal rights and responsibilities, navigate everyday legal issues, and engage with the legal system effectively. By bringing legal education to schools, charities, community centres, and other public spaces, Street Law aims to demystify the legal system and empower individuals with the knowledge they need to address legal challenges in their lives.
We are always seeking to collaborate with community groups. If you are interested in having our students provide a Street Law session for your community, please contact us.
Why should students get involved in Street Law?
Participating in Street Law provides students with hands-on experience by applying their legal studies in real-world contexts, effectively bridging the gap between theory and practice. It enhances crucial skills such as public speaking and teaching while allowing students to make a meaningful impact by educating community members about their legal rights and responsibilities. Involvement offers valuable insights into the diverse ways the law affects different groups, helps build professional networks, and instils a strong sense of social responsibility.
We are currently recruiting students from the Law, Criminology, and Social Science departments at Royal Holloway University for our Street Law Programme. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.
Partnerships and Patrons
Our Legal Advice Centre has the following professional partnerships, and is grateful for the support and assistance it receives:
- LawWorks
- Duncan Lewis Solicitors, London
- Horne Engall and Freeman solicitors
- Creighton and Partners
- Zakia Khalid, Freelance Solicitor
- Circe Law
- Hodge Jones & Allen
- Afghanistan & Central Asian Association
We are grateful to our Patron, David Head, Duncan Lewis Solicitors, who provides his time and assistance to us.
Contact details
Royal Holloway, University of London
Legal Advice Centre
Department of Law and Criminology, School of Law and Social Sciences
Egham Hill
Egham
TW20 0EX
Email: LAC@royalholloway.ac.uk
