News

Statement on Emma Ritch Clinic

We’re delighted that the Emma Ritch Clinic, a new law clinic offering independent legal advice to survivors of sexual violence, will be established at the University of Glasgow.

The clinic will work in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland and other referral organisations. We will provide more information on the referral process shortly.

The Emma Ritch Clinic will be the first of its kind in the UK and will provide independent legal advice and representation by practising Scottish solicitors, without charge. The clinic could be transformative for rape complainers seeking justice in Scotland.

We know that many survivors feel like they are at the margins of the justice process and unprepared for the experience of going to court. It can also be hard for survivors to meaningfully access their rights because of difficulties accessing suitable legal advice and representation. Having access to a lawyer who understands the system can make a huge difference to somebody’s experience.

As well as offering advice, the clinic will also produce research into the difference legal advice makes to a survivor’s experience of the justice system and to better understand why some cases might fail to reach, or progress, through the criminal justice system.

The Emma Ritch Clinic will help Scotland lead the way in improving rape survivors’ access to justice.

Emma Ritch was a long time member of the Rape Crisis Scotland Board of Directors and was passionate about improving rape survivors’ position in the justice system. We’re very grateful to the University of Glasgow for naming the clinic after Emma. We can’t think of a more fitting legacy.