Leicester Law School clinic strengthens free immigration advice for the community

People who may struggle to afford legal advice will benefit from strengthened immigration support through Leicester Law School’s free Legal Advice Clinic.

The Clinic offers free legal advice to the public on immigration, housing, employment, family, consumer and other legal issues. Trained law students research each case and provide advice under the close supervision of qualified solicitors.

The service has been strengthened after final-year law student Ayesha Emaan became the first University of Leicester student to pass the Level 1 Immigration Advice Authority assessment.

Passing the assessment demonstrates thatAyeshahas met the Immigration Advice Authority’s Level 1 competency requirements.  This enablesAyesha, subject to the Clinic’s authorisation and supervision arrangements, to provide supervised immigration advice to clients at the relevant level. 

The assessments are provided by the Immigration Advice Authority, whoregulate immigration advisers and work to ensure that those providing immigration advice maintain appropriate standards of competence and client care.

Ayesha joined the Legal Advice Clinic after previously working for a local charity supporting people affected by domestic violence, including immigrants and people who did not speak English. The experience showed her the barriers faced by people who cannot afford legal advice.

Ayesha said: “My previous work supporting women affected by domestic violence made me particularly aware of the barriers people can face when trying to access legal advice. It showed me that legal rights have limited value if people are unable to understand or enforce them. That experience was a significant reason why I wanted to join the Legal Advice Clinic and contribute to making legal support more accessible.”

Ayesha completed the assessment in June, between her second and final years. She said: “Preparing for the assessment was challenging because immigration law was a relatively new area for me. I had to develop my understanding independently and become comfortable applying a detailed regulatory framework to practical scenarios. Passing the assessment was therefore particularly rewarding, and I’m proud that it now enables me to take greater responsibility when supporting clients through the Clinic.”

Ayesha is now looking forward to her final year of law school and continuing her work with the Legal Advice Clinic. She said: “'Working in the Clinic has changed the way I engage with the law academically. When I encounter a legal problem, I now instinctively consider how the law would operate for the individual behind it- what advice they would need, what practical barriers they might face and how the law can be communicated in a way that is genuinely useful. That practical perspective has been invaluable to my development as a law student.'

Level 1 advisers can assist with straightforward immigration cases, with more complex matters referred to higher-level advisers.

Afsaan Sharif, Supervising Solicitor at the University of Leicester’s Legal Advice Clinic said: “This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work and dedicationAyeshahas shown throughout her time in the Clinic. Ayesha's achievement is a significant milestone both for her and for the Legal Advice Clinic. Gaining this qualification strengthens our immigration service and helps us provide greater support to members of the community who may otherwise struggle to access legal advice. It also gives our clinic students a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in a real-world setting while making a meaningful difference to people's lives.”

You can find out more about the University of Leicester’s Legal Advice Clinic here.