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Free Legal Aid Clinic from UWI’s Faculty of Law Expands Access

For Release Upon Receipt - December 18, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – December 18, 2025 – Scores of citizens seeking legal guidance received free, on-the-spot support on November 8, 2025, when lecturers, students and alumni from the Faculty of Law and the Hugh Wooding Law School joined forces to host a national Legal Aid Clinic at The UWI St Augustine Campus.

 Members of the Project Access Team, comprising lecturers, students, and alumni from the Faculty of Law and the Hugh Wooding Law School, pictured at the national Legal Aid Clinic held at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, on 8 November 2025.

The one-day clinic, formed part of Project Access: Highlighting Justice Shortcomings with Solutions, an initiative of the Faculty of Law designed to close persistent justice gaps through community outreach, student training and research-driven reformsThe Legal Aid Clinic, offered at no cost to participants, responds to a long-standing reality in Trinidad and Tobago: many citizens face significant barriers in accessing legal guidance and fair representation. By bringing legal experts directly to the public, Project Access aims to address these gaps through community outreach, student training and research-informed solutions.

Clinic Lead and UWI Lecturer, Dr. Timothy Affonso, noted that this was the second clinic held under the Project Access initiative, following the first session on November 16, 2024. He reported that the clinic assisted attendees with a broad range of legal matters, including family and civil law issues, criminal matters, land and property disputes, wills and probate, and letters of administration.

Dr. Affonso emphasized that many individuals are often unsure of where to begin when they encounter legal challenges. The clinic provided them with reliable guidance from attorneys experienced across various areas of law, addressing matters such as estate procedures, land concerns, and criminal issues. He highlighted that the network of participating attorneys continues to volunteer their time to ensure that the wider community can access quality legal advice free of charge.

The clinic also plays an important educational role. Faculty of Law researcher Ms. Cara John explained that Project Access is designed to strengthen students’ connection to the communities they will one day serve.  Students participate in every stage of the clinic, from client intake to completion of exit forms. By working directly with attorneys, they learn the client interview process and gain first-hand insight into the practical and procedural dimensions of the law. This experience strengthens the link between classroom learning and real-world legal practice while supporting community outreach.

 

 Members of the Project Access Team providing free, on-the-spot legal guidance and support to members of the public during the national Legal Aid Clinic at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, on 8 November 2025.

Sponsorship for the Legal Aid Clinic was provided by the JB Fernandes Memorial Trust managed by the Rockefeller Philanthropic Advisors, which is the main funder of the Project Access initiative.

As the initiative continues to expand, the Faculty of Law will host its third free mobile legal aid clinic on January 17, 2026, at the Diego Martin Community Centre. The Faculty also plans to convene a Criminal Justice Conference in 2026, further integrating community service, research, and legal education.

The Faculty of Law remains committed to promoting equity, service, ethics and civic-mindedness while enriching student training and contributing to meaningful social change. Project Access aims to destigmatise criminal processes, particularly for socially displaced individuals and vulnerable groups.

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About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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