Lewes Crown Court
The Criminal Justice Law Clinic within the Sussex Law School is launching a new clerking scheme to train students as court notetakers - also known as outdoor clerks. Having piloted the scheme over the summer, three local law firms are taking up the new service.
James Turner, Senior Partner at Tuckers Solicitors LLP (Sussex) said:
"Tuckers Solicitors LLP is pleased to have partnered with the University of Sussex to implement an outdoor clerking scheme for law students. The scheme provides an invaluable opportunity for students to experience law in practice and to make links in the profession. The scheme also provides firms with a valuable resource, enabling them to support advocates. It is also a pleasure to offer opportunities to students to broaden their knowledge and improve their employability as postgraduates."
Decades of funding cuts to the Criminal Justice System have left defence solicitors under increasing pressure. With additional challenges related to recruiting and training newly qualifying lawyers into criminal defence firms, universities are increasingly looking for new ways to encourage young people to enter the criminal defence profession – whilst also supporting criminal defence firms and their clients in the here and now.
Following and adapting an initiative that began at the Kent Law School, the Criminal Justice Law Clinic at Sussex has developed a ‘Student Outdoor Clerk Scheme’ to formally begin at the start of the new academic year. Through the scheme, students will receive training on professional conduct rules and ethical legal practice. An outdoor clerk's presence in court is valuable for taking a full note of all the evidence, and of advice given to clients and of what the client said. Outdoor clerks can also be a ‘sounding board’ for the barrister and provide another opinion about how the jury might react to evidence as well as offering another bridge for communication between the barrister, the client, and the solicitor’s firm, especially when the barrister is busy in court or required to discuss the case with the opposing barrister.
Reader in Criminal Justice, Director of Sussex Law Clinics/Sussex Clinical Legal Education, and supervisor of the Criminal Justice Law Clinic, Dr Lucy Welsh, commented:
“20 years ago, it was common for law firms to send clerks to assist barristers during trials in criminal courts. As fees were cut and restructured, this type of work became unviable for many firms, which meant the system lost this valuable resource.
“Having a clerk at court can strengthen lawyer/client relationship by offering another avenue for communication, as well as providing another watchful pair of eyes and ears to point out if any problems arise. In addition to the benefits to clients and law firms, students gain an unique experience of how the justice system works, and can develop skills such as communicating with different audiences, organisation, teamwork, and professionalism.
“I am really excited about this project and am grateful to the lawyers, students, and colleagues who have helped us to bring it to fruition.”
One student who volunteered with the Law Clinics in the previous academic year and helped pilot the scheme over summer 2025, Owen Mann, said the following about his experience:
“Over the summer, I had the privilege of serving as the University of Sussex’s first Student Outdoor Clerk (SOC), an experience which, without question, was the most interesting of my legal journey to date offering an unparalleled level of exposure and professional insight.
“The SOC scheme provides an accelerated introduction to the criminal justice system which enabled me to engage directly with live court proceedings and witness the procedural frameworks and realities of the CJS. What set the experience apart for me wasn’t just the access to barristers (which in itself was of substantial benefit), but the importance you feel knowing that the notes you make may help the case – should that be a barrister double-checking what they have said, or asking for the time that the jury went out for deliberation so that they know when to ask for a majority verdict.
“For those considering a career as a barrister, or with an interest in criminal law, I cannot recommend this scheme enough. It has bridged the often-wide gap between academic study and real-world application. I have observed courtroom literacy, prompting professional confidence within myself. It raised my critical awareness of the legal system’s strengths - and shortcomings. It was intellectually demanding and enriching and has deeply affirmed my aspiration to pursue a career in criminal law. This scheme has been an invaluable opportunity and, for that, I am truly grateful.”
Other law firms who will be taking Sussex students on as clerks include Old Bailey Solicitors (Brighton office) and Bishop and Light Solicitors.
*Image of Lewes Crown Court by Richard Kelly, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons