Dundee first law school in Scotland to teach trauma informed module

The University of Dundee is leading the way in training future lawyers to recognise and support trauma – both in clients and as a knock-on effect to those practicing in the profession. Dundee Law School is the first in Scotland to deliver a groundbreaking module in Trauma Informed Practice as part of its postgraduate Diploma course.

The module prepares law students to support clients who may seek legal advice while affected by traumatic life events and supports learning in a number of specialist areas of law, including criminal, family and personal injury law. It also prepares them to recognise vicarious trauma within themselves and their peers, which can be associated with daily interactions with clients dealing with trauma, or even triggered by a single case.

Vicarious trauma can present in practising solicitors through altered viewpoints, stress, difficulty with sleep, personality changes, and other ways which the affected person may not immediately recognise. As the first trauma informed academic certified by the legal profession’s governing body, the Law Society of Scotland, Liz Comerford will run the module at Dundee from the beginning of 2025.

Liz, Director of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Dundee, said, “Trauma can affect clients in many areas of law and those who have been affected by it may not even be aware.

“In family law there can be domestic abuse, in private client law people can be dealing with sudden bereavement, in personal injury law clients can be dealing with trauma from an accident, while in immigration law there can be harrowing personal backstories. “Giving students an awareness of how to spot and support trauma can help them work with clients in the most effective and supportive way.”

Despite the prevalence of trauma within many areas of law, it is not currently a mandatory aspect of formal pre-qualification training, as set out by the Law Society of Scotland. However, academics at Dundee believe it is so important that all LLB students are given introductory lectures into the subject to equip them with basic tools to support people affected by trauma.

This is in addition to this new module offered as an elective choice to Diploma in Professional Legal Practice students during their second semester. “Another very important aspect of the module is raising awareness of the risk of developing vicarious trauma,” Liz said.

“As a new and enthusiastic lawyer they may not expect that vicarious trauma could affect them.

“But hearing about trauma on a daily, and sometimes relentless, basis can have an effect much further down the line. It could happen gradually, or it could be a one-off thing in reaction to a specific case.

“We want them to know where they can reach out for support if they need it, how to check in with their peers, and to be an advocate for wellbeing amongst their peers.”