Sustaining Legal Clinics Through Summer: A Strategic Response to Rural Legal Advice Deserts in the Southwest of England

Abstract

This From the Field Report, based on a single clinic case study, advances the proposition that strategically placed drop-in clinics at the outset of the summer period can serve as an effective intervention to mitigate the operational challenges faced by university law clinics due to reduced student participation during this time. Such an approach is particularly vital in South West England, where rurality and limited pro bono legal assistance contribute to the region being recognised as a legal advice desert.

A collaboration with Newcastle University, Australia, to adapt their innovative ‘Law on the Beach’ initiative to the coastal communities of Devon led us to think about how to counteract the seasonal decline in student participation and the resulting strain on legal clinic services. In 2024, we piloted a series of drop-in legal advice days at coastal locations, targeting areas where there was high client demand. Seaside towns often face distinct challenges that contribute to a lack of free legal provision in the locality. These communities typically have a more transient population than other areas, with many residents employed in seasonal, low-wage industries such as tourism and hospitality.

During these events many individuals received same-day advice, while those requiring continued support were referred to our summer clinic for ongoing assistance. This model has since been adapted from the beach idea inspired by the Australian model to meet the specific needs of Devon: in 2025, the clinic operated in the city of Exeter, and in 2026, it is scheduled to expand into the rural setting of Mid Devon, further enhancing access to justice in underserved rural areas.