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Family law

The University of Law in Bristol provides a free email advice line for family law matters such as divorce, separation and issues involving children of a relationship.

This service offers appointments within clinics for 30-minutes of advice over the telephone.  Initially a client will be telephoned by a student who will take further details of the client’s case and then the client will receive advice from a qualified lawyer at the clinic.  Law students observe during the clinic, but all client information is kept highly confidential. This clinic offers advice in relation to Family Law, but particularly in relation to:

  • Children matters 
  • Divorce 
  • Financial resolution following divorce/separation
  • Financial resolution following cohabitation/separation
  • Schedule 1 Children Act orders.
  • Non-molestation/occupation orders
Limitations of the service

The service can only provide general advice and cannot provide specific advice on your individual issue.  We also cannot represent you in court or at any other hearing. These limitations are necessary because students are not qualified, and the supervising solicitors cannot commit to the time required to prepare and present a case in court.
The service is provided by students studying at the University of Law, under the supervision of the University’s Supervising Solicitor& Pro Bono Co-ordinator, and, as such, we can only accept cases at a level appropriate to the students’ stage of learning. If your query involves family law, but is complex or involves assets of high value, we may feel that our service is inappropriate to meet your needs; in such a case, we will signpost you elsewhere for assistance.

How to access

Click the link for [email protected] and give brief details of your enquiry.  If we can assist you, you will be offered the next available appointment in the clinic. 

Other Clinics

The University of Law also offers telephone advice clinics for:

  • Wills, Trusts and Estate Disputes (WTED).  Please email  [email protected] with your enquiry.
  • Small Business Advice Line (SBAL).  Please email [email protected] with your enquiry.

Unfortunately, we cannot currently accept enquiries that involve:

  • Court of Protection issues
  • Debt
  • Housing
  • Immigration issues
  • Community care
  • Law outside England & Wales