Job Summary
We are seeking a Community Law Clinic Assistant to provide essential administrative support to help ensure the smooth running of the clinic. You will work closely with the Community Law Clinic team, the Co-Directors and the Clinic Coordinator to assist with the day-to-day operations of the clinic and ensure continuity in the provision of legal advice to the clinic’s vulnerable clients. You will also assist in facilitating the ongoing expansion of the clinic.
This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers 21.9 hours per week from September 2026 for 23 months. This role offers hybrid working where you will work remotely and from Streatham Campus, Exeter.
Key Dates
Application Closing Date: 16/8/2026
Interview Date: TBC - Early September
Role Start Date: As soon as possible in September 2026
Role End Date: 23 months from start date.
Starting Salary: £28,029 per annum pro rata
Purpose of the Role
You will work closely with the Community Law Clinic team, the Co-Directors and the Clinic Coordinator to assist with the day-to-day operations of the clinic and ensure continuity in the provision of legal advice to the clinic’s vulnerable clients. You will also assist in facilitating the ongoing expansion of the clinic.
The University of Exeter has grown its research, impact and knowledge exchange activity significantly over the last few years. The Law School at Exeter is a leading centre for world leading research and teaching. As part of a comprehensive investment plan in the School, which includes new academic posts and real estate investment, we are seeking a new colleagues who can support growth in the expansion of our undergraduate and postgraduate portfolios. The Community Law Clinic (CLC) enables University of Exeter Law students to make a difference in the real world, by offering free legal advice to the local community, overseen by qualified lawyers who are either faculty members at the University of Exeter or volunteer solicitors and barristers. The CLC delivers a comprehensive and effective pro bono service, working in partnership with community groups and advice services across the South West. The CLC is made up of two student-led clinics which provide free legal advice and support across a range of areas, including housing, employment, civil litigation, immigration and family. The CLC operates as a hybrid service, with remote and in-person service on campus and in the local community. This role is a professional services role which sits within the Exeter Innovation (EI) Directorate. The post holder will be line managed by the Community Law Clinic Coordinator and will work on a day-to-day basis with the Community Law Clinic CoDirectors and Team. More information about the Community Law Clinic can be found here: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/community/communitylawclinic/
Duties and Responsibilities
Working with the Community Law Clinic team to:
- Assist the Community Law Clinic Coordinator with organising the supervised provision of legal advice by law students, assisting with diary management, the case management systems (CLIO and SharePoint), and legal advice sessions
- Meet and greet clients attending the legal advice sessions in a welcoming and professional manner
- Develop a thorough working knowledge of the CLC and assist with enquiries from internal and external stakeholders and general enquiries, to enable specialist advice and guidance to be provided on relevant matters
- Provide general administrative support as required and gain a full understanding of the relevant subject area
- Manage records and information, undertaking quality checking of data to ensure accuracy, consistency, efficiency and timely delivery
- Use systems and software effectively and efficiently, adhering to any relevant compliance
- Disseminate internally and externally, communications about events or similar through a range of platforms, ensuring messages are appropriate for the target audience
- Assist with the collation of data to enable annual statistic reports to be produced. Proactively raising any issues to senior team members to enable corrective actions to be put in place
- Contribute to the clinic’s social media channels and provide written input into standard and one-off communications
- Assist in the arrangement of events, workshops and conferences (in-person, remote and/or hybrid formats), including arranging the logistics and providing on the day support
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders, undertaking joint decisions on operational matters as required
- Accountability/ responsibility for discrete areas of work, as delegated by your line manager or other senior stakeholders
- Continuously improving the student experience with the Clinic, and support new ways of working, training others as required.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of the expansion of the Clinic.
This job description summarises the main duties and accountabilities of the post and is not comprehensive: the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties of similar level and responsibility.
During term time the clinic operates from city centre premises one day a week and the post holder may be expected to attend. The remainder of time will be split between Streatham Campus and/or home working.
Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?
Training will be provided by the Community Law Clinic Coordinator and Law Clinic Supervisors on daily operating procedures and university policies. This will include the use of Microsoft 365 programmes: Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, the Clinic SharePoint sites and the legal case management system, Clio.
The Community Law Clinic operates in a similar way to a small legal practice. The role holder will obtain experience in dealing with members of the public, external organisations, student volunteers and internal university departments, under the supervision and support of the CLC Coordinator and other members of the CLC team. This will involve communicating in person, over email, telephone, Teams and Zoom.
You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in:
- Safeguarding on our Campuses
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Health and Safety Introduction
- Information Governance and Security
Support Available
- You will work closely with the Community Law Clinic Coordinator
- You will have regular support meetings with your line manager
- You will regularly have contact with other members of the clinic team and volunteer student advisors
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
The Benefits
You will have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including:
- Flexible/hybrid working
- Generous pension
- A holiday allowance of 39 days per year
- Totum Card (student discount)
- Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centre’s.
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
- All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.
- You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.
- You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.
- You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’.
About You (Person Specification)
Degree and Attainment
- Graduated from a UK university in the last 3 years
Skills
- Excellent organisational and planning skills and the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines under pressure
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
- Accurate data inputting skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with precision and accuracy in person, in writing and email, and by telephone with a range of internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Office 365 software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, SharePoint and web based programmes
- Ability to undertake duties in a confidential and sensitive manner, mindful of GDPR legislation.
(Desirable)
- Maintaining and using a database for retrieval of information
- Experience of use, and management of, social media platforms
- Able to identify areas for improvement in processes/procedures within working area
- Ability to undertake basic web updating.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
- Ability to be flexible and deal with frequent interruptions whilst maintaining focus and accuracy
- Empathetic and non-judgmental – show genuine care for others and an interest in helping people from all walks of life.
- Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders and present a professional image of the University of Exeter at all times
- Confidence and ability to work independently with appropriate supervision
- Able to act on own initiative to ensure completion of tasks within specified areas
- Willingness to take ownership and resolve issues in a positive and proactive manner
- Willingness to work outside normal working hours when occasional and reasonable requests are made.
(Desirable)
- Ability to support the needs of a range of internal and external customers.
Prior Experience
- Experience of delivering excellent customer service.
- Experience of working in a team to deliver shared goals.
(Desirable)
- Experience in handling complex processes and tracking progress
- Experience of event organisation
- Experience of working as part of a small team and/or within an organisation with multiple reporting lines.
You must have valid right-to-work documents with you for verification if appointed, copies are not accepted. See here for a full list of acceptable documents to confirm your right to work in the UK.
About the University Department/Organisation
The Law School at Exeter is a leading centre for world leading research and teaching. As part of a comprehensive investment plan in the School, which includes new academic posts and real estate investment, we are seeking a new colleagues who can support growth in the expansion of our undergraduate and postgraduate portfolios.
The Community Law Clinic (CLC) enables University of Exeter Law students to make a difference in the real world, by offering free legal advice to the local community, overseen by qualified lawyers who are either faculty members at the University of Exeter or volunteer solicitors and barristers. The CLC delivers a comprehensive and effective pro bono service, working in partnership with community groups and advice services across the South West. The CLC is made up of two student-led clinics which provide free legal advice and support across a range of areas, including housing, employment, civil litigation, immigration and family. The CLC operates as a hybrid service, with remote and in-person service on campus and in the local community.
Informal Enquiries
Before submitting an application you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Kim McDonald, Co-Director of the Community Law Clinic by email
[email protected], or Georgina Wood, Community Law Clinic Coordinator, by email
[email protected] You are welcome to leave a voicemail on 01392 723163 and we will call you back.
Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements
- To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be nearing completion of your final year at any UK-based university.
- If you are nearing completion of your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
- If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
- You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
- The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity.
- We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion)
- Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here
- At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment. Examples of suitable evidence can be found here. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa.
- All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.
Application Tips
- Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.
- You can use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.
- The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria.
- Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.
- You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.
Further Guidance and Support
- (Exeter graduates only) You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here.
- (Exeter graduates only) If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment through the Career Zone.
- Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid.
- It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.
- If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at [email protected]
The Graduate Business Partnership scheme supports final year students and recent graduates to launch their careers at the University of Exeter and with recommended employers in the southwest.
- GBP roles provide graduate-level employment.
- Build experience and develop your skills in a supportive environment.
The GBP scheme is open to everyone who has graduated from a UK-based university in the last 3 years. If you are an international student, you can also apply for GBP roles if you have a Graduate Visa.
You can find out more about the Graduate Business Partnership scheme here.
