Citizens Advice Volunteers and Why it Should be for You

Open Justice student Dona Mclachlan writes about her experiences as a Citizens Advice volunteer.

I am American born mature student who started her law degree in sunny Miami Beach in 2018 prior to moving back to the UK. I now enjoy life on the Kent Coast with daily doses of cold-water swimming, gardening, cooking and looking after my indulgent husband and two Chinese Crested Dogs. Law will be my third career, I started life as a Creative Director at Vidal Sassoon, sold luxury and commercial real estate to high net worth individuals in Miami, who knows what next? I love being back in my country of choice and feel so fortunate to be able to live here. 

Studying for your Law degree can be fraught with anxiety, everyone gets to the point where they feel why am I doing this and what will result at the end. Somehow we are supposed to ‘figure it out’ as we balance work, family, studies while looking to future career development. My very first tutor suggested I go to Citizens Advice and enquire if they needed volunteers. It was the best pointer I have been given. I spend one day every week either in the office or on the phone to our clients. The following is what I have gained from the experience.

The training covers many aspects of different types of law, how to interview individuals, research on the CAB website and various government sites, writing up of the information you have received from the clients, signposting to other agencies or to one of the attorneys in the area willing to work pro-bono. All applicable to professional life.

The areas of law covered are family, consumer, immigration, housing, employment, civil such as neighbour disputes, debt, the courts system and benefits. What this does for you as an aspiring legal professional is give you an idea of the scope of the work involved in an area that may interest you. We learn large areas of law but not the fine details of the actual application in practice. The reality is some of these practice areas take very special individuals to handle the aspects of what happens to clients in their daily life. Not all days are filled with shocking situations but enough to make you sit back and think can I cope with a career of this?  In this aspect Citizens Advice is great to give you a wide perspective on different types of practice.

Interviewing clients is one area most individuals really look forward to. Some of the questions you have to ask as a matter of course can be difficult, it does give you the opportunity to hone your skills. Most people are quite emotive while telling their stories. You quickly learn to be empathetic, discrete,  keep on track and stick to the facts as you have one hour for interview and advise. Your supervisor is there to oversee all possible avenues of action prior to giving the client advice, you will not be without support. A good bedside manner and a cup of tea do come in handy.

One of the most enjoyable things has been negotiating with bailiffs and debtors for favourable terms for the clients. I really love the adversarial aspect and the relief I can negotiate for the clients. Besides negotiating you will write letters, help with court documents and filings, advise on family matters, deaths, divorce, child custody, how to go to mediation, so many different things. It is challenging and very informative to help you decide which area of law is for you and as an added bonus now counts towards your experience for the SQE. Get out there and volunteer!