About Us
Freedom Law Clinic was founded in 2015 with a simple but powerful vision: to make legal education a force for social good.
We began by delivering innovative courses in criminal appeals to universities and law schools across the UK. These programs combined rigorous academic training with hands-on casework—giving students the chance to work on real cases while they studied. The response was overwhelming. Students loved it. Universities did too. Over the years, we’ve partnered with more than 40 higher education institutions, and that number keeps growing. Today, we’ve grown into a law school with a unique identity. We believe that legal education should empower students to make a real difference. We aim to build a genuine meritocracy within the profession—one where future lawyers are judged not just on theory, but on the impact they can make.
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) gave us a new opportunity. As a practical, application-focused assessment, the SQE aligns perfectly with our mission. So in 2022, we launched a pioneering program that combines SQE1 preparation with Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Our students don't just learn legal principles—they apply them in real-life situations, contributing meaningfully to our clients’ lives while they study.
Our flexible subscription-based model allows students to learn at their own pace, wherever they are. But make no mistake—this is a demanding programme. Our standards are high, and our selection process is rigorous. We want to make sure our students are the right fit: committed, capable, and ready to challenge themselves.
If you’re driven to use your legal education to change the world, we want to hear from you. Join us—and be part of a movement that’s redefining how legal education is done.
We began by delivering innovative courses in criminal appeals to universities and law schools across the UK. These programs combined rigorous academic training with hands-on casework—giving students the chance to work on real cases while they studied. The response was overwhelming. Students loved it. Universities did too. Over the years, we’ve partnered with more than 40 higher education institutions, and that number keeps growing. Today, we’ve grown into a law school with a unique identity. We believe that legal education should empower students to make a real difference. We aim to build a genuine meritocracy within the profession—one where future lawyers are judged not just on theory, but on the impact they can make.
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) gave us a new opportunity. As a practical, application-focused assessment, the SQE aligns perfectly with our mission. So in 2022, we launched a pioneering program that combines SQE1 preparation with Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Our students don't just learn legal principles—they apply them in real-life situations, contributing meaningfully to our clients’ lives while they study.
Our flexible subscription-based model allows students to learn at their own pace, wherever they are. But make no mistake—this is a demanding programme. Our standards are high, and our selection process is rigorous. We want to make sure our students are the right fit: committed, capable, and ready to challenge themselves.
If you’re driven to use your legal education to change the world, we want to hear from you. Join us—and be part of a movement that’s redefining how legal education is done.
The Freedom Law Clinic Team
Luke Gittos
Solicitor,
Clinic Director
Having worked in criminal justice since 2009, Luke qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and developed a specialist practice in complex criminal litigation. He is a partner at Murray Hughman solicitors and as well as founding the clinic also supervises all of our criminal casework and sets the strategic direction for our work.
Amber Pierce
Paralegal, Clinic Administrator
Amber is criminal paralegal for Murray Hughman, primarily assisting in case research. She has a PhD in History, specialising in historians and international criminal tribunals. She was called to the Bar in July 2023 and has been offered pupillage with Foundry Chambers, with the aim of developing a criminal practice, starting in October 2024.
JAZMIN ENGLISH
Course
Administrator
Jazmin is our new Course Administrator. She graduated with a first in her Law degree (LLB), during which she developed a keen interest in Public and Human Rights Law. She has since been offered a scholarship with Freedom Law School to begin the SQE training in July 2024. After qualifying she aims to begin practice as a Solicitor in her areas of interest.
RACHEL WARNER
Casework
Manager
Rachel is an adjudicator for The Pensions Ombudsman, where she investigates allegations of serious breaches of trust, misappropriation of pension funds and dishonest or fraudulent behaviour by pension scheme trustees. She was called to the Bar in April 2023 and has been offered pupillage with 5 St Andrew's Hill Chambers, with the aim of developing a practice in crime, starting in October 2025.
Our Tutors
BARBARA STRACHAN
Barbara is a qualified barrister who specialised in criminal law when in practice. Since then, she has taught and written widely about law with particular interests in criminal law, criminal litigation, wills and probate.
GRANT AMBRIDGE
Grant is the managing partner at Murray Hughman Solicitors and a highly-regarded expert in complex criminal cases. Since qualifying in 2002 he has focussed exclusively on criminal practice, covering the most serious offences and prosecutions brought by the CPS, HMRC, the NCA and the SFO.
Katie Kipps
Katie is a Partner at Murray Hughman Solicitors and has extensive experience with cases ranging from serious crimes to complex frauds, and international drug conspiracies. Her practice focuses on defending cases brought by the SFO, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the National Crime Agency.
Robin Penfold
Robin is a solicitor and a financial services specialist with over 15 years’ experience of advising businesses operating in the financial services sector on a range of legal and regulatory issues affecting their operations. Robin has worked in legal practice, in industry and for the regulator and regularly writes for the trade and industry press on legal issues affecting the retail financial services sector. Alongside his legal practice, Robin sits as a Deputy District Judge (Civil) on the Western Circuit.
