Kenny MacAskill MSP meets with staff and students.
On January 18th, Scotland's Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill MSP, visited the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic where he was given an insight into our work.
Mr MacAskill met our staff and students, and heard opinions about ways in which access to the type of work done by the clinic could be broadened and ideas for developing pro bono work within Scotland.
Mr MacAskill said: “It’s good to see students with difficult courses to pursue and other jobs to hold down contributing their free time and expertise to help others.
"It will doubtless stand them in good stead in whatever career they pursue but it is a sign of commitment to others that is much appreciated and much needed.”
Professor Donald Nicolson, Director of Strathclyde Law Clinic, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Mr MacAskill to Strathclyde. We are at the forefront of efforts to widen access to legal services- he seemed genuinely interested in what we are doing here and his visit was a great endorsement of our work.
"He listened to our ideas about access to justice and how it might be improved. We also offered an impression of the invaluable experience which the Law Clinic offers to our students and the commitment to justice which it helps to cultivate."
Mr MacAskill speaking with Professor Nicolson, Scott and Paman. 
A student advisor discusses her work with Mr MacAskill.
CaseCheck speak to our Student Director - Scott McMaster.
Scott discussed a number of issues with CaseCheck, including funding and current ventures. The interview can be watched here.
Strathclyde Law Clinic hosts successful launch event for new projects.
To celebrate the launch of four new projects and National Pro Bono
week, the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic hosted a launch event on
Wednesday 11 November 2009.
Speakers at the event included the Lord Advocate, the Rt Hon Elish
Angiolini QC, and Lord Philips of Sudbury, who co-founded and is
President of the legal charity LawWorks. Attended by solicitors,
advocates, representatives of Glasgow advice agencies, academics and
other members of the legal profession, the event addressed the need for
pro bono in Scotland and the ways in which people could get involved
with the new Law Clinic projects.
The new projects launched by the Law Clinic are:
Initial Advice Centres, a series of monthly evening sessions at the
Mitchell Library in Glasgow, where qualified and trainee solicitors
will be available to offer free, on-the-spot legal advice and, where
relevant, make referrals back to the Clinic for further representation.
The Greenock Outreach Project, starting in the new year with a pilot
programme of monthly sessions aimed at extending the Law Clinic's
services to the Inverclyde area
Prisons Project, a programme for prisoners approaching the end of their
sentence, designed to offer them advice on employment issues to help
them in their return to society
Supporters of the Law Clinic, which is being established to help raise funds for the Law Clinic
Professor Donald Nicolson, Director of the Law Clinic at Strathclyde
said: "I feel tonight has been a great success and it was very
encouraging to see so many members of the legal profession attend and
take a real interest in pro bono and the opportunities available
through the Law Clinic, helping to increase access to justice for
people in Glasgow and beyond". At the end of the event, University of
Strathclyde Principal, Professor Jim McDonald, also announced new
funding of £10,000 per year for the next three years to support the
work of the Law Clinic. This comes shortly after another donation of
£10,000 by McGrigors LLP, who renewed their sponsorship of the Law
Clinic for the third year.
The successful event was highlighted in the Evening Times, The Firm, The Journal and on the BBC News website.
The Law Clinic at the University of Strathclyde has been operating for
over six years and has assisted over 650 clients. The new projects are
designed to build on the Law Clinic's core service of providing advice
and representation to people who do not qualify for legal aid, but
struggle to afford lawyers' fees. Earlier this year, the Law Clinic's
work won the Strathclyde Law School the Best Contribution by a Law
School prize in the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards. The
Law Clinic relies on and is grateful for the funding and donations
received from the University of Strathclyde Law School, Graduates
Association, Alumni Association and sponsors McGrigors LLP, Simpson
& Marwick, DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell, along with its other
supporters who contribute their time and expertise.
Part of the Law Clinic's student committee.
The Scottish Law Commission and Law Commission published their recommendations on simplifying the law on consumer remedies for faulty goods.
As reported on 18th May 2009, the Law Clinic took part a joint consultation by the Law
Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. This response was founded upon the Law Clinic's considerable experience in consumer
cases involving faulty goods.
The Law Commission and Scottish Law Comission has quoted the Law Clinic's response on three occasions. This report can be read here.
McGrigors
LLP continue their support of the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic
with a donation of £10,000 for the third year in a row.
Along
with the financial contribution, McGrigors have agreed to continue to
provide specialised training sessions for Law Clinic members and also
to support the work of the Law Clinic by providing background advice on
cases.
Professor Donald Nicolson, Law Clinic Director, said: "It
is great that McGrigors are supporting us for the third year in a row.
The Law Clinic depends on donations and this significant contribution
will help us to continue our work and make a difference to people in
Glasgow and beyond".
In
the future, McGrigors staff will also have the opportunity to volunteer
at the Law Clinic's Initial Advice Centres, providing people in Glasgow
an opportunity to meet with a solicitor and receive initial advice on a
wide variety of issues.
Law Clinic launches free evening legal advice sessions in Glasgow
In
parternship with local solicitors and trainee solicitors, the Law
Clinic is pleased to annouce a new free legal advice service that is to
start running in Glasgow in the evenings.
The
free legal advice sessions will take place in the Mitchell Library,
from 6-8pm, on the first Wednesday of every month. Solicitors and
trainee solicitors have volunteered to help out and provide advice on a
range of issues, including consumer disputes and housing issues.
The first session is starting Wednesday 7 October 2009. Full details can be found on our website, http://www.lawclinic.org.uk/iac.php
University of Strathclyde Law Clinic shortlisted for Community Champion Public Service Team Award
The
University of Strathclyde Law Clinic was last week recognised as a
finalist in the Glasgow Community Champion Awards hosted by the Evening
Times. This recognition event brings together Glasgow City Council,
Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Strathclyde Police and the Evening Times to celebrate the selfless efforts of local heroes.
Attended
by around 200 people, the Community Champions ceremony took place in
the Partick Burgh Halls last Thursday (28 May 2009) where the Law
Clinic was nominated for the Public Service Team award and was one of
three finalists in the Central and West region.
The
awards recognise the contribution of local individuals and
organisations to their local community. For such a large area, being
one of only three finalists is a great achievement for the Law Clinic
and demonstrates that the work our student advisors carry out,
providing free legal advice and representation to individuals most in
need, is having a significant impact in the Glasgow area.
The nomination for this local award recognising the tireless efforts of the Law Clinic follows national success at the LawWorks &
Attorney General Awards in March, where the Law Clinic was awarded the
Best Contribution by a Law School to pro-bono legal work in the UK.
The
Law Clinic recently took part in a joint consultation by the Law
Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. Having
had considerable experience over the last five or so years in consumer
cases involving faulty goods, four Clinic students (Felix Boon, Neil
Campbell, Scott McMaster, and Katy McSkimming) wrote a response to the
consultation paper on behalf of the Clinic. This was referred to
frequently in the summary of responses to the Law Commissions'
consultation and on two occasions the Law Clinic's submission were
directly quoted (see at www.scotlawcom.gov.uk and www.lawcom.gov.uk).
We
are extremely pleased that our views and contributions may help law
reform in this area. Law reform is something that the Law Clinic is
keen to be involved in, seeing its role not solely as a provider of
legal advice and representation, but also as a proactive organisation
that helps improve access to justice by every possible means, including
being active in law reform.
The summary of responses can be accessed at http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/downloads/dps/dp139_responses_summary.pdf
University of Strathclyde Law School wins Best Contribution by a Law School award for the work of the Law Clinic.
The University of Strathclyde has become the first university in
Scotland to win a prestigious award for widening access to legal
services.
Strathclyde Law School won the Best Contribution by a Law School award in the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards.
The
University won its award for the work of its Law Clinic, which offers
legal advice to members of the public who do not qualify for Legal Aid
but still cannot afford professional fees.
The
Law Clinic is the only service of its kind in Scotland and Strathclyde
is the first Scottish university to win in the LawWorks &
Attorney General Student Awards. Law schools in Scotland and Northern
Ireland were invited to enter the awards for the first time this year.
Nine
students involved in the Law Clinic were at the awards ceremony, along
with Professor Donald Nicolson, founder and chairman of the Clinic.
They were presented with their trophy in a ceremony at the House of
Lords in Westminster.
Lord Hope of Craighead, Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, also attended to offer his support.
Competition judges described Strathclyde's contribution to the awards as "a watershed for student pro bono activity in Scotland; long overlooked and now well and truly centre stage."
Professor Nicolson said: "The
Clinic not only provides an invaluable service to the public, by
fulfilling unmet need in legal advice. It also gives law students
essential, practical experience of the legal profession.
"The
Law Clinic has proved to be a hugely successful venture and this award
is a great endorsement of our students' achievements. We look forward
to continuing to build on these successes."
One of the students, Stuart Kelly, said: "It's
a great honour to win this award and to be given commendation by the
competition judges. We were told that, as the only law clinic in
Scotland, we were serving not just a community but a country and that
we were a dynamic group who could help to develop more of a pro bono
culture in Scotland.
"We won't be resting on our laurels and will be working to ensure we strengthen the Law Clinic further."
The
awards, organised by legal charity LawWorks and endorsed by Attorney
General Baroness Scotland QC, recognise the contribution of law
students to pro bono work- free legal services performed by lawyers for
people who have difficulty affording fees.
Strathclyde
was also nominated in the Best Team of Students category and for the
Best Contribution by an Individual Student- for Alasdair Stewart,
Baroness Scotland said: "I
am both proud and delighted to be part of this celebration which
acknowledges the fine achievements of lawyers who are embarking on
their legal career.
"I
believe the desire to undertake pro bono work is inherent in every good
lawyer; it is part of their DNA. I applaud the ingenuity, passion and
commitment of all the winners, and all of the other nominees who have
worked tirelessly to keep pro bono work at the very heart of our
profession."
The
Attorney General presented the awards alongside LawWorks' Chairman,
Paul Newdick, and Chief Executive, Rebecca Hilsenrath, along with
LexisNexis' Managing Director, Josh Bottomley.
The event was sponsored by legal publisher and information supplier LexisNexis.
Youngest lay representatives in Scotland to win a proof in the Sheriff Court.
On
10 March 2009, Emma Boffey and Mhairi Alexander successfully
represented a Law Clinic client in a Small Claims Action, heard in
Glasgow Sheriff Court. The pursuer (the client) had raised an action
for payment, to recover her tenancy deposit which she claimed had been
unlawfully retained by her landlord. The defender (the landlord)
maintained that he had lawfully retained the deposit and alleged that
the client had damaged the property.
The case centred around the factual and legal interpretation of the concept of "fair wear and tear"
- if any damage was present in the flat after the tenancy came to an
end, did it constitute unlawful damage, or did it fall to fair wear and
tear, thereby discharging the client from further liability?
Negotiations
proved unsuccessful and the case called for a full hearing with
evidence before Sheriff Bowman - this entailed leading evidence from
the client herself, and a witness, who had professionally cleaned the
carpets in the flat on two occasions throughout the tenancy. In
addition, the advisors were responsible for preparation of all
productions, legal submissions and cross examination of the defender.
Ultimately,
Sheriff Bowman found for the pursuer and awarded decree for the sum of
£127.79 - perhaps a small amount to some, but nonetheless this case
proves that without the assistance of the Law Clinic in terms of advice
and indeed, representation, the client would have been unable to
recover this sum she was due.
In
succeeding in this case, Emma and Mhairi become the two youngest lay
representatives in Scotland to have conducted, and won, a proof in the
Sheriff Court.
The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic has yet more success to celebrate!
The Law Clinic and its students have been shortlisted for three separate awards in the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards 2009.
Organised by LawWorks, the awards recognise the outstanding contribution made to pro bono work by law students and law schools.
The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic and our students are proud to have been nominated in three distinct categories:
Best Contribution by an Individual Student (Alasdair Stewart)
Best Contribution by a Team of Students (The Joint Committee, which runs the Law Clinic)
Best Contribution by a Law School (The Law Clinic itself)
The panel of judges was made up of Husnara Begum (Editor of Lawyer2B),
Richard Grimes (Legal education consultant at Talkinglaw), Bob Heslett
(Vice President of the Law Society of England & Wales) and Tom Laidlaw (Head of Academic Development at LexisNexis). The Attorney General then makes the award to the winner and runner-up in a ceremony at the end of March.
