Academic Tutor - Law Clinic Supervisor

University of Sunderland; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 49 days’ holiday

Award-winning staff networks

Lifestyle benefits

Health and well-being support

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

A prestigious UK university seeks an Academic Tutor (Supervising Solicitor) to enhance clinical legal education at its Student Law Clinic. The role involves supervising students engaged in live client casework, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while providing legal advice. Candidates should be qualified solicitors or barristers with strong mentoring skills. The position offers flexible hours of up to 8 per week and numerous benefits, including generous holiday allowances and health support.

Qualifications

• Must have a current practising certificate.
• Recent legal practice experience required.
• Experience in mentoring and supervising legal work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support students in the Law Clinic.
• Review and approve student work before advice is given.
• Provide legal advice to clients in a clinical setting.

Skills

Legal practice supervision

Mentoring and training

Clinical legal education

Regulatory compliance

Regulatory compliance

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

The University of Sunderland offers life‑changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries.

We’re an inclusive, ambitious and forward‑looking University in a vibrant city that’s constantly evolving. We’re also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape.

As we move through 2026, we’re celebrating being recognised as:

• A top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North-East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North-East for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)

Join us at the University of Sunderland and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of education. This role offers the chance to make a real impact in a vibrant, supportive environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

As an Academic Tutor (Supervising Solicitor), you will contribute to the delivery of high‑quality clinical legal education within the University of Sunderland Student Law Clinic. The role combines student support with professional legal supervision, overseeing students engaged in live client casework and ensuring that legal advice provided through the Clinic is accurate, ethical, and compliant with professional and regulatory requirements.

You will supervise and support students undertaking client‑facing legal work, including reviewing and approving student work prior to advice being given, providing feedback on academic and professional development, and supporting the development of legal skills, ethical awareness, and professional judgement. You will also provide legal advice to clients, and contribute to the effective operation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance of the Law Clinic.

We are looking for candidates that can work up to 8 hours per week.

Is this you?

The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with a current practising certificate, authorised to provide and supervise legal advice to live clients and to assume professional responsibility for client advice, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

You will have recent and relevant legal practice experience, with the ability to supervise, review, and approve legal work, including experience of mentoring, supervising, or training others in a legal or professional context.

You will have experience supporting learning through clinical legal education, live client work, or practice‑based environments, with the ability to balance educational objectives with professional standards, ethical obligations, and quality assurance requirements.

At Sunderland University, we’re more than a place of learning, we’re a welcoming community that values inclusivity, collaboration, and well‑being. We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers that come with support, flexibility, and plenty of perks:

• Up to 49 days’ holiday - that’s 36 days’ annual leave, 5 festive closure days and 8 Bank Holidays!
• Award‑winning staff networks that celebrate who you are.
• Lifestyle benefits, with savings on shopping, tech, bikes, and even cars.
• Health and well‑being support, from private medical cover to gym discounts.
• Learning and development that helps you achieve your goals.

Ready to Apply?

Before getting started, please download the Role Profile under ‘Job Description’ so you have everything you need. We don’t accept CVs unless this is specifically mentioned - all applications should be submitted through our careers site.

If you have questions about the role, please contact:

Associate Professor Pardis Tehrani, Associate Head of Law School, at [e-mail], or Dr Vicki Jowett, Head of Social Sciences and Law, at [e-mail]. They will be happy to assist you.