HRH The Princess Royal Opens Citizens Advice Milton Keynes

The official opening of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Milton Keynes took place on Thursday 7 May, marked by a special visit from HRH The Princess Royal. The occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate a longstanding and impactful collaboration between The University of Buckingham Law School and Citizens Advice Milton Keynes, showcasing the vital role that clinical legal education plays in both student development and community support.

The event organised by Ben Thomas, Director of Citizens Advice Milton Keynes in conjunction with the office of His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe, DStJ, brought together key members of the Law School and clinic community, including Dean of Law, Professor Adolfo Paolini, and Julie O’Shea, Module Lead for the Citizens Advice Clinic. They were joined by clinic alumni Kamva Gcaza, Student Union President and Isabel Ritchie, LLM SQE 1 student, whose experiences reflect the success and reach of the programme.

HRH The Princess Royal showed a particular interest in how the clinic is embedded within the Law School’s curriculum. The Citizens Advice Clinic forms part of a Level 6 optional module for both full-time and part-time LLB students, contributing 30 academic credits towards their degree. This integration of practical experience with academic study exemplifies the Law School’s commitment to preparing students for professional legal practice.

Professor Paolini outlined the structure of the programme, explaining that the Law School supports the training of up to 20 student volunteers each year to act as assessors at the Milton Keynes Bureau. Students are supervised in clinic by Training & Volunteering Manager, Zach Eaton with Julie O’Shea, leading lectures and academic assessments, ensuring a robust framework of support and quality assurance.

Speaking at the event, Julie O’Shea highlighted the wide range of practical skills students develop through the clinic. These include client interviewing, case management, and the essential discipline of maintaining accurate and professional case notes. Such experiences are designed to mirror real-world legal practice, equipping students with both the technical competencies and professional values expected in the sector.

Clinic alumna Isabel Ritchie shared her personal journey, explaining how her experience at the clinic inspired her to pursue the LLM with SQE1 Preparation Programme. She emphasised that the clinic not only strengthened her legal skills but also instilled a deep appreciation for ethical practice and the responsibilities of regulated legal work, particularly in relation to conflicts of interest and client confidentiality.

Clinic alumnus and Student Union President Kamva Gcaza reflected on his experience in the Citizens Advice Clinic, noting its significant contribution to his professional development from being a law student to his current role in student leadership. He highlighted the programme as a valuable example of the partnership between the University and Citizens Advice Milton Keynes, providing students with essential real-world legal experience and practical insight into client-facing work.

HRH The Princess Royal was also keen to understand the broader impact of the clinic. It was noted that, over the past four years, the programme has attracted more than 40 student participants and supported up to 6,000 client calls. These figures underscore the dual benefit of the initiative—enhancing student employability while making a meaningful contribution to the local and wider Citizens Advice community.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity for networking, bringing together Citizens Advice Milton Keynes Trustees, community partners, and distinguished guests, including Buckingham LLB alumna Nikki Ross, the newly appointed High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire. The occasion fostered meaningful discussions around strengthening community engagement and expanding collaborative initiatives.

The opening of the Bureau stands as a testament to the success of collaborative partnerships between academia and community organisations. By combining academic rigour with hands-on experience, the Citizens Advice Clinic continues to empower students, support clients, and promote access to justice.

As the event concluded, there was a shared sense of pride in what has been achieved and optimism for the continued growth of the clinic. The visit by HRH The Princess Royal not only recognised this important work but also highlighted the value of practice-based legal education in shaping the next generation of legal professionals.