The Open Justice Centre runs an in-house criminal justice clinic where students research and advise on live criminal cases under the direct supervision of a solicitor.  The students consider the evidence and unused material on a live criminal case where the convicted defendant continues to protest their innocence. Students carry out research and apply legal principles to determine whether there are any grounds for referral to the Criminal Cases Review Commission or for an appeal to be made. 

The cases involve serious criminal offences such as murder, manslaughter, serious assault and drugs cases, amongst others.  Students are provided with appropriate training and have weekly supervision meetings with the supervising solicitor and case worker. Students obtain valuable legal, professional and collaboration skills whilst the client obtains a well thought out advice on their case.

You can read some blogs from students that have worked on the 2021 Criminal Justice Clinic project here and here.

Supervising solicitor and manager of the Criminal justice clinic Emma Curryer writes about the project in this article.

Criminal justice clinic testimonials

Quotes from students who have been involved in recent Criminal justice clinic activities.

An opportunity not to be missed, complements further study into law, and really whets the appetite for budding solicitors and Barristers.

Working on the CJC project is THE best work experience opportunity you will get the opportunity to do.  Even if you aren’t sure if criminal law is for you, you will learn so many new skills and meet fabulous people you will be inspired!

Immerse yourself, fully commit, work with your peers, and believe that you can do it! It is scary, exciting, interesting, and beneficial. You are in good hands.

A learning experience that cannot be found elsewhere within the OU.

There aren't enough superlatives to describe this experience: from the first-class training and support to the overall learning experience, I can only highly recommend the Criminal Justice Experience as being a highly worthwhile enterprise.