Law school launches business law advice service
The Legal Advice Centre at Nottingham Law School has launched a Business and Enterprise Law Service to provide affordable legal advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs and charities.
Supervising solicitors will guide law students in giving advice on a range of topics, such as choosing the right business structure; understanding how to comply with employment law; protecting intellectual property rights; and appropriate terms and conditions to manage customers’ expectations and rights.
The Legal Advice Centre acts as a ‘teaching law firm’ and is fully regulated as an Alternative Business Structure by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. It works closely with local firms, advice agencies, voluntary sector organisations and schools to develop pro bono opportunities for Nottingham Law School students.
Director of the Legal Advice Centre, Nick Johnson, said: “The number of people in self-employment is growing, as is the number of small to medium sized businesses, and legal costs can take a significant amount out of what may only be a small budget. This new service offers affordable access to initial legal advice on a whole range of topics, while also giving our students valuable commercial skills and experience.”
Dean of Nottingham Law School, professor Janine Griffiths-Baker, added: “The Legal Advice Centre has been involved in a number of commercial advice projects, including the publication of two books on intellectual property, and we’re keen to grow this side of our service. The acquisition of an ABS licence has allowed the Centre to expand and while our main focus is still pro bono, we’re now able to offer additional services for a small charge – with any profit going back into the work of the Centre.”
