A project run by
law students and academics at Northumbria University to provide free community
legal support has won a highly prestigious national award.
At the LawWorks
and Attorney General Student Awards 2018, held in the House of Commons, judges named
The Family Justice Project at Northumbria Law School as the Best New Pro-Bono
Activity. The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding pro bono work
undertaken by law schools and students across the UK. They are run by national
charity LawWorks with the support of the Attorney General, The Rt Hon Jeremy
Wright QC MP.
The
Family Justice Project launched in 2017, in response to the drastic surge in
demand for pro bono legal advice and representation in family law matters in
the North East following the reduction in the availability of legal aid. Led by
Ana Speed and Kayliegh Richardson, senior lecturers at Northumbria Law School
and practising solicitors, the Family Justice Project empowers and provides
extensive and high quality free legal advice and support to vulnerable and
minority groups.
Paul
McKeown, Director of the Student Law Office at Northumbria University, said: “These
are hugely significant awards within the legal sector and we are immensely
proud of all those involved in The Family Justice Project. The legal support
provided has been recognised at the highest level for its quality, and for fulfilling
a growing need for pro-bono legal assistance. It also provides our students
with an outstanding learning experience that they can take with them into their
future careers. Winning the award is testament to their commitment and skills
as legal practitioners - it is richly deserved. We also thank the partners that
worked with us on this project, Ben Hoare Bell LLP, the Angelou Centre and
Impact Family Services”.
Professor John Wilson, Pro
Vice-Chancellor for Business and Law at Northumbria, said: “This is a superb
achievement and I congratulate all our students and academics behind the
project. We pride ourselves on our pioneering approach to clinic-based learning
and the career-enhancing opportunities it can offer our students. Pro-bono work is part of this. It is integral
to Northumbria Law School, and to how we contribute to the local community. As
well as supporting the professional development of our students, it is also
incredibly rewarding.”
Commenting
on the awards, The
Attorney General, The Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP said: “These awards are
an opportunity to celebrate the work of students who help increase access to
justice in their communities. Early experience of pro bono can instil a passion
and commitment that can last a whole career. Pro bono not only has a practical
and beneficial impact on people’s lives; it has a positive effect on our legal
system as well.”
Northumbria Law School’s clinical
learning model is a key aspect of the award-winning Student Law Office, where
final-year students provide a range of services including representing clients
in court and tribunals, negotiating settlements and winning compensation. Since
2008 the Student Law Office has represented more than 2,300 clients and secured
over £1 million on their behalf.
For more information
on Northumbria Law School please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/law
