The Emma Ritch Law Clinic provides free legal advice and representation to victim-survivors of sexual crime.
The clinic's vision is an accessible and fair Scottish criminal justice system that treats complainers in criminal cases with dignity and respect; and recognises their legal rights. We achieve this through the provision of trauma informed specialist legal advice and representation.
Emma Ritch was a pioneering Scottish women's rights campaigner who sadly passed away in 2021. She graduated from the University of Glasgow, and the work of the clinic seeks to honour her memory. The Clinic is Co-Directed by Eamon Keane, who acts as Principal Solicitor, and Professor Jacqueline Kinghan.
Since 2024/25, selected groups of undergraduate students have had the opportunity to work in the Emma Ritch Law Clinic has part of their degree programme. They undertake closely supervised legal casework alongside substantive legal education in criminal evidence and procedure, and access to justice.
The ERLC also runs SOLACE, an independent legal advice service providing advice to complainers aged 18 and over in High Court sexual offences cases.
For general enquiries, email emma-ritch-law-clinic@glasgow.ac.uk
For client enquiries, email emmaritch@proton.me
Read A Guide for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Crime (2026 Edition)
For advice on civil matters, please contact Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC)
Information for Victim-Survivors
Discover how to get in touch, what we can help with, what to expect and our aims.
A Guide for Victim-Survivors of Sexual Crime (High Court)
The first resource of its kind for Scotland, this guide is designed to support victim-survivors by providing accessible and sensitive information about each stage of the High Court Criminal Process.
To complement the guide, an additional Charter of Rights has been developed in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland. This document outlines key rights and entitlements, reinforcing a survivor centred approach to participation in the justice process.
Accreditation & Awards
Our legal services are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.
The Emma Ritch Law Clinic and its team have won several awards, notably:
- Shortlisted for the 'Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community' THE Awards 2026
- 'Best Contribution by a Law School' at the LawWorks Student Pro Bono Awards 2025
- Highly Commended for 'Best New Pro Bono Activity' at the LawWorks Student Pro Bono Awards 2025
- Eamon Keane awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh medal for his work in improving legal responses to sexual violence
