The LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards, sponsored by LexisNexis, mark the outstanding contribution towards access to justice by law students and law schools.
Attorney
General Suella Braverman said: ‘Pro bono reflects the best of our profession
and I’m delighted to see so many, who are at the beginning of their training,
so enthusiastic about pro bono.
‘It’s great to
see so many innovative and diverse projects which are part of these awards.’
This year’s
Law School award went to BPP University for its dedicated family law clinic,
employment law helpline and enterprise clinic for start-ups and small
businesses.
The Team of
Students prize went to Plymouth Law Clinic and Red Cross Partnership for their
work with asylum seekers, many of whom struggle with mental health issues,
destitution and separation from family members. Plymouth Law Clinic went on to
receive the Access to Justice Foundation award for a range of activities across
the South West.
Hertfordshire
Law School also scooped two prizes. It took the Best New Pro Bono Activity for
running clinics on family law and for small businesses as well as an outreach
service for prisoners at HMP The Mount. Hertfordshire student Sartaz Billing,
who assists clients on power of attorney at the university clinic as well as
being a trained Citizens’ Advice advisor, won Best Contribution by an
Individual.
Martin Barnes,
chief executive of LawWorks, said: ‘This year the standard of nominations was
especially high, so the judges have had a difficult job, and every nomination
shows just how much students do to help people with their legal problems.’
A thank you
celebration will be held later in the year. For more information on the Awards,
visit www.lawworks.org.uk/student-awards.
