New legal partnership to support women affected by domestic abuse
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has announced a ground-breaking new partnership that brings together academia, legal practice, and frontline charity work to support women affected by domestic abuse.
In collaboration with international law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, domestic abuse charity Advance, and the Legal Advice Centre at LSE Law School, the Domestic Abuse Law Clinic will provide free and confidential legal advice to individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse. Initially focusing on family law issues, the service aims to empower survivors with access to justice and practical support during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. This project was first proposed by an LSE alumnus and trustee of Advance.
The partnership also offers a unique opportunity for LSE Law students to gain hands-on experience in legal practice. Working alongside qualified lawyers and charity professionals, students will deepen their understanding of family law and domestic abuse issues while contributing meaningfully to the community. Their work will be supervised by Kirsty Richards from National Legal Service, who has provided specialist family law training to both students and Davis Polk lawyers, and will oversee all casework.
This initiative reflects the best of what LSE stands for; academic excellence with real-world impact. It’s a chance for our students to learn by doing, while making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Advance is a UK-based women’s charity that provides specialist, trauma-informed support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse and those in contact with the criminal justice system. Their services range from crisis support and safety planning to advocacy across healthcare, housing, and police services.
To bring together global law firm Davis Polk, a world-leading university like LSE, and our frontline services is a perfect combination. The quality of the students and the training they receive means we can offer legal advice that many of the women we support simply wouldn’t be able to access otherwise. This partnership gives us the opportunity to expand our services and reach more women with the kind of legal support that is often out of reach. I believe this will become an award-winning initiative, and I look forward to celebrating its success in the future.
If you work for a business that is keen to make an impact through a partnership with LSE, please email Charlotte Rossan, Corporate Engagement Manager.
