Students placed with us gain unrivalled experience of the courts, building skills for their future while making a real difference to access to justice today.
Make a difference while building your legal career
We’re a social justice charity based in courts and universities across England and Wales. Every day, we stand alongside people who face the civil and family courts without a lawyer. With legal aid cuts and the rising cost of living, thousands of people are left to navigate complex legal processes alone.
Our volunteers change that story. They provide practical information and emotional support that helps people feel heard, prepared and less alone. Many of those volunteers are students — people like you, who are passionate about justice and committed to developing their legal skills while making a real impact.
Our university partners
We’re proud to work with leading universities across the UK, who share our commitment to access to justice. These partnerships allow students to gain hands-on experience while supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society.
Our current partners include:
- Birmingham City University
- Cardiff University
- Leeds Beckett University
- Liverpool John Moores
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Royal Holloway, London
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- University of Sheffield
Through these collaborations, students provide direct support to people facing court alone and in turn, develop the empathy, resilience and professionalism that will shape their legal careers.
QWE opportunities with Support Through Court
If you’re pursuing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, you’ll know that qualifying work experience (QWE) is an essential step. To qualify, you’ll need two years’ full-time (or equivalent) QWE that provides real-life legal work and develops the competences needed to be a solicitor.
We can help you achieve this. Our student volunteers work directly with clients, learn how the courts operate in practice, and gain experience in handling sensitive situations with professionalism and care. For many, this becomes part of their QWE journey — a chance to combine career development with social impact.
Get involved
Volunteering with Support Through Court is more than a placement, it’s an opportunity to stand beside people when they need it most, while building the foundation for your own future in law. Please note, applications are done through universities and not directly through Support Through Court. If you would like to volunteer, please get in touch with your law school.