As featured in the Scottish Legal News, 4th November 2024: https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/lauren-weetman-the-power-of-pro-bono-supporting-clients-through-university-law-clinics

With Pro Bono Week fast approaching, shining the spotlight on the role of voluntary legal work is of utmost importance. The pro bono effort of solicitors has a profound impact on both those seeking access to legal advice and the broader legal community alike. Efforts that shine particularly brightly are those in collaboration with university law clinics that fulfil a unique role in extending access to justice for vulnerable individuals, while broadening the experiences of law students. This collaboration not only addresses a critical gap in legal services but ensures ordinary members of the public receive high-quality advice without the cost concerns.  

In pursuit of ensuring access to justice for all, the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic provides free legal assistance to those who cannot afford it but are not eligible for legal aid. However, even with the dedication of student advisors there are limitations to what we can achieve without the additional input of volunteer solicitors, who play a crucial part in helping the clinic to meet its aims on a pro bono basis. 

Solicitors bring a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to law clinics, whether it’s interpreting complex legal jargon, guiding clients through their legal options or talking them through critical steps in the legal process. For many clients, having access to legal advice in the manner offered at Strathclyde Law Clinic Initial Advice Clinic project can be the difference between successfully navigating a legal issue and being overwhelmed by the system. As the Coordinator of this project, I see at firsthand the enquirer’s initial query through to the assistance provided by solicitors at the IAC. Most importantly I see the positive impact on those who approach our service and how they are empowered to understand the law and progress claims. 

The collaboration between solicitors and university law clinics characterises the very core of pro bono work. To this end the Initial Advice Clinic project facilitates appointments between members of the public and solicitors that provides much needed guidance in a manageable format that allows solicitors to work flexibly around their day-to-day commitments. In many instances solicitor volunteers bring specialisation in areas of the law that greatly enhances the clinic’s ability to serve a wider range of enquires. Their expertise in areas such as employment, housing, consumer, civil and immigration law can provide life-changing outcomes for those who might otherwise face challenging obstacles. However, as a future facing institution, we are always working towards expanding the areas of law in which we can advise – the IAC is the perfect format for this, whether in relation to wills, succession and executries through to family law matters. Our volunteer solicitors can provide that one off piece of advice in an area that students cannot advise in and often assist a person to have the confidence to seek further legal advice. 

 As we participate in Pro Bono Week it’s worth reflecting on the powerful impact that solicitor pro bono work can have and how it contributes the role of the wider legal profession in Scotland. By giving freely of a small portion of their time and expertise solicitors play a critical role in supporting law clinics and empowering the next generation of legal professionals, while making a lasting difference to the lives of those most in need of legal help. 

 The Strathclyde Law Clinic encourages those wanting to learn more about our Initial Advice Clinic to get in touch – lawclinic@strath.ac.uk/lauren.weetman.2021@uni.strath.ac.uk 

Pro Bono Week, as defined by the Law Society, “promotes and supports the work of lawyers who volunteer their services for free to people and organisations who couldn’t otherwise afford legal advice”. The existence of pro bono work is undoubtedly essential to the community of Glasgow and its surrounding areas. Its impact can be observed from high level commercial firms all the way down to individuals and small charity organisations.

Pro-Bono in Large Organisations

Typically, leading law firms tend to encourage pro bono work, with most aiming for each lawyer to provide 50 hours of pro bono service per year. Many of the larger commercial firms carry out pro bono work in several different ways to ensure positive corporate social responsibility. In fact, often firms find that lawyers and other employees are more drawn to firms that  engage in pro bono work than those which lack engagement. This may be because encouraging pro bono demonstrates that a workplace has more interest in ethical practice and community engagement. 

Pro bono initiatives from top commercial firms can be found close to home, with several leading firms holding offices in Glasgow. Burness Paull, a leading Scottish firm, has recently assisted its pro bono partners in ‘The Lifescape Project’ which provides a resource centre for land owners who require guidance on rewilding principles. Last year, Pinsent Mason employees from both Glasgow and Edinburgh supported ‘The Social Innovation Partnership’  where they advised on employment contracts for the small charity, as well as engaging in the ‘Kids in Need of Defence (KIND UK)’ programme, providing free legal support to undocumented children. Additionally, the Scottish CMS team continue to support the Marie Curie charity by providing them with pro bono legal advice and have a similar collaboration with Inspiring Scotland, which aims to tackle some of the key social problems Scotland faces, such as poverty.

One of the leading success stories of pro bono is The Chancery Lane Project where lawyers from various firms come together to create a “Climate Contract Playbook”, to ensure companies reach climate goals. The legal professionals involved described it as working pro bono when the client was “the world”. The project continues with lawyers from several firms, including those with presence in Glasgow and the central belt, such as Addleshaw Goddard, Anderson Strathern, Burness Paull and Dentons, amongst others. Solicitors  volunteered their time by rewriting contracts and laws to encourage businesses and communities to fight the climate crisis.

Another way in which firms show their support of pro bono is through participation in the Scottish Legal Walks, set up by the Access to Justice Foundation, and which now take place in five Scottish cities. The Foundation fundraises for several Scottish advice charities, helping to fund pro bono work through sponsored walks, as well as other events throughout the year. Representatives from Strathclyde Law Clinic have participated and fundraised for the Scottish Legal Walk in years past, and they have provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with other pro bono-minded organisations. When asked about the Legal Walks, The Law Society of Scotland’s President Susan Murray said:

“While pro bono legal services can never replace a properly funded legal aid system, many Scottish solicitors offer advice and representation at no cost to people who would otherwise not be able to access the legal support they need”.

The Faculty of Advocates also provides a Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) for those in need of assistance in court cases or hearings, based in Scotland, but are not otherwise in receipt of legal aid. Most of this service is provided virtually, allowing access from all over Scotland.

Pro-Bono in Our Communities

On a more relatable level for many of our advisors, pro bono work is just as tangible in smaller communities. Living and working in and around Glasgow, it should come as no surprise that access to justice is a relevant struggle, particularly with annual cuts to the legal aid budget. It is for this reasons that pro bono work is so essential, resulting in many more individuals relying on organisations such as Citizens Advice, Victim Support, Just Right and of course, University Law Clinics

“Independent research shows the work of the Scottish Citizens Advice Service contributes more than £166 million to the common good in Scotland.”

Outwith the Law Clinic, I volunteer at my local Citizens Advice Bureau in a small town outside of Glasgow. This has made most apparent the lack of education available surrounding individuals’ rights, particularly in lower income areas. In my work as a CAB Advisor, I regularly assist clients in areas such as benefit entitlement, immigration questions, basic debt advice, employment queries and consumer issues. Often, the issues our clients face could require legal help which is simply unaffordable for clients of the area, leading them to the door of CAB. Other times, outlining rights can be enough. For example, outlining relevant consumer rights provided by the Consumer Rights Act can sometimes be enough to empower a client to contest a seemingly large, powerful business with the confidence in their new knowledge of their rights as a consumer.

In 2022, the bureau I volunteer with celebrated its 80^th anniversary. In this time, the bureau has “improved clients’ financial position by £57 million, rescheduled £88 million of unaffordable debt and dealt with nearly 1 million enquiries during these times”. A huge achievement for a charity organisation and a true testament to the power of pro bono work even in the small communities, who often need it most.

I think university law clinics are arguably the most obvious example of the power of pro bono, both for clients and students alike. In Glasgow, we have no fewer than three university law clinics providing distinctive but essential services to our community. Glasgow University’s Emma Ritch clinic is a unique pro bono initiative which provides dignified, free legal advice to complainers of sexual assault, an unfortunately common unmet need in the Glasgow area. GCU Law Clinic has experienced huge growth in the past ten years of existence, now including advocacy opportunities and assisting with the Street Law initiative, as well as legal administration work for people in the Greater Glasgow area.  At Strathclyde Law Clinic, our various projects such as Initial Advice Clinic and Online Cases allow the clinic to respond to even more client enquiries, in addition to our main casework primarily within employment, housing, consumer and immigration. In our advice and representation cases, we have saved or won over £2 million for our clients since inception. The sheer number of clients assisted by and the sizeable impact of these law clinics is remarkable.

In my experience in the clinic at Strathclyde, I have learned how to treat clients with dignity and respect while developing important skills for a future legal career. The most important factor for me is the people we advise, who may often lack resources to find legal support but are no less worthy of advice or representation. In my opinion, allowing the idea that those with more financial resources gaining an edge in justice is a failing of the system itself. In combatting this, the clinic has taught me the power of pro bono by seeing the difference we can make to clients who otherwise would have been alone in their legal struggle. My experiences at the clinic have embedded pro bono work as a fundamental value that I will take with me throughout my career, with the learned knowledge that we are all capable of playing a small part in the wider pro bono machine that makes the law more accessible for individuals and communities in Glasgow and beyond.

In June, Strathclyde Law Clinic had the honour of hosting The Right Honourable Lord Reed, President of the UK Supreme Court, during his visit to the University of Strathclyde. This visit, preceding his receipt of an honorary degree at the 2023/2024 Law Graduation, was extremely insightful and inspiring for our students, allowing us to engage in highly interesting discussions around access to justice.

The Rt Hon Lord Reed is the current president of the UK Supreme Court, taking up his position in 2020. He was appointed as a justice to the Supreme Court in 2012. Lord Reed is the first Scottish president of the UK Supreme Court. He attended the University of Edinburgh, achieving a first in his LLB, one of only four students to do so. From there he progressed to studying a DPhil at Balliol College, Oxford on “Legal Control of Government to Assistance to Industry”. He returned to Edinburgh to prepare for admission to the faculty of advocates, doing so in 1983. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 1995 and a judge of the Court of Session and High Court three years later. He has also served as an ad hoc judge at the European Court of Human Rights, as a representative for the UK, and a non-permanent judge to the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong.

Lord Reed is known for his commitment to engaging with law students across the UK, delivering lectures and emphasizing the importance of access to justice. He has visited fellow universities with law clinics such as London South Bank, Kent, Aberdeen, King’s College, and Liverpool.

At Strathclyde, Lord Reed was welcomed by Professor Paterson, a member of our board of directors, Stuart Kelly, the deputy head of the law school and a Law Clinic alumnus, and our student directors, Corey Beaton and Gordon Gow. Despite the heat in the Graham Hills Building, the event was made comfortable with the help of fans, setting the stage for a productive and insightful session.

The presentation commenced with a discussion of Strathclyde Law Clinic’s journey since its inception in 2003. Now established as Scotland’s largest law clinic, we are one of the few to provide representation. The presentation covered our main functions, collaborations, and advice streams, including advice and assistance cases, initial advice clinics, the online project, and the asylum project. Highlighting our impact, we celebrated surpassing the £2 million mark in client savings last year, a milestone achieved through the dedication of our student advisors. A notable case discussed was the landmark Long COVID decision, where our client, a 71-year-old caretaker dismissed due to the debilitating after-effects of COVID-19, successfully brought claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination before the Employment Tribunal.

Following the presentation, Lord Reed engaged in a stimulating discussion with the students about the nature of our work. Strathclyde Law Clinic aims to enhance the holistic approach of legal education, aligning with Strathclyde’s ethos as “a place of useful learning.” Clinical LLB students shared how clinical modules have enriched their education and practical experience, led by Jess, who emphasized the benefits of this hands-on approach.

The visit concluded with encouraging words from Lord Reed, who urged students not to spend all their time in the library but to engage actively in practical learning experiences. His visit was a memorable and inspiring event for everyone at Strathclyde Law Clinic, reinforcing the vital role of clinical legal education in shaping future legal professionals.

“It’s been a real pleasure to meet you all, I’m full of admiration for what you are doing.”

– Lord Robert Reed, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Whilst the Easter weekend is a time to indulge in chocolate, for Strathclyde law students, it also means the impending exams. To help students prepare for these exams, the Comms team have shared some exam tips to help them get through the final academic push.

1. The relative test – Legal concepts can be extremely complex. To ensure that you have truly understood them, try explaining them to someone who isn’t well-versed in law. A relative or roommate will tend to ask questions. If you can answer these, you truly understand the concepts.
2. Focusing revision – Examiners are looking for critical analysis, and thus, in essay questions, the papers tend to be focused on specific academic debates in that area of law. Look through your notes for these points of debate as these will likely come up.
3. Definitions and spelling – Learn key definitions and spelling! Key terminology is very important which can be very difficult with Latin or similar words. No one wants to mess up in involuntary obligations because they can’t remember how to spell rescission, and they got mixed up with all the judicial remedies!
4. Read the questions properly!  – Missing out key bits of exam questions will harm your grades. Wise words from a teacher I once had – don’t do anything for the first minute of your exam, take a breather and then read over the questions slowly and dissect it. If you follow this method, it becomes much harder to misread the question.
5. Stay in good health – This applies to both your physical and mental health. Ensure you are sleeping enough, try not to pull too many all-nighters and stay away from caffeine as much as possible. Exams are necessary but not as important as your heart health. Ensure you aren’t neglecting your body: drink water, staying hydrated can aid in memory retention, and make sure to eat enough. Try to carry on exercising, even if you can’t complete an entire gym session or workout something as simple as 5-10 minutes of yoga can greatly aid your mental health.
6. Know when to stop – As much as you may have seen the infamous Kay Chung’s all-nighter TikToks, sometimes knowing when to stop is just as important as all your revision. Working yourself into a pit of fatigue will not help with your exams, so remember to take breaks. My favourite way to do this is via the Pomodoro method, where you work for around 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break. As a chronic fidgeter, this can be very helpful in maintaining focus.
7. Try not to become a hermit – Talk to friends, go out and engage in activities. Anything from a coffee break to a sports practice. Remember, you have a life outside of law school, and keeping it up even with exams helps you not to burn out.

In light of our International Women’s Day event earlier this month, I find myself empowered to shed light on a prevalent but often misunderstood health condition affecting millions of women across the UK: Endometriosis. 

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition affecting millions of women worldwide, with a significant impact on their quality of life. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the womb, commonly affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the lining the pelvis, as well as other organs in the body. This misplaced tissue responds to the menstrual cycle in the same way as the tissue inside the uterus, causing inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary widely among individuals but most commonly include chronic pelvic pain, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), heavy menstrual bleeding, increased urination, fatigue, and infertility.  In the UK, it is estimated that around 1.5 million women are currently living with this condition, with an average diagnosis time of 7.5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, these symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions, leading to further delays in diagnosis.

As a law student, I understand firsthand that managing the symptoms of endometriosis whilst balancing academic responsibilities can be incredibly challenging. The unpredictable nature of the condition, with flare-ups and periods of intense pain, can disrupt study schedules and impact overall academic/work performance.

Navigating Treatment Options

It is important to understand that there is currently no cure for endometriosis. Any treatment provided will aim to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. This can include pain management through medication, hormone therapy to regulate the menstrual cycle, and surgery to remove endometrial tissue and scar tissue. However, finding the right treatment approach can be a complex process, requiring careful consideration of individual symptoms and preferences, and often comes with its own array of horrible side effects. 

As a student, I understand that managing appointments, referrals, and treatment plans while juggling academic commitments can be daunting and difficult to say the least. This is why it is essential to communicate your condition to your workplace or educational institution, which will enable them to provide you with the necessary support tailored to your needs.

Raising Awareness and Stopping the Stigma

For generations, there has been an enduring stigma surrounding discussions of women’s healthcare, which has often been dismissed as a ‘gross’ and taboo topic. This societal perception has contributed to a culture of silence and discomfort surrounding important issues such as menstrual health, reproductive care, and gynaecological concerns. Therefore, it is crucial to break this cycle of stigma and encourage open dialogue about women’s health. By normalising conversations about these topics, we not only empower women to take control of their own health but also create a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking the information, support, and resources they require. Moreover, by sharing our own experiences and speaking up about women’s healthcare, we can help dismantle outdated stereotypes and pave the way for greater awareness, education, and advocacy for women’s health issues. On a final note, it is important to remember that women’s health concerns, including those related to reproductive health, are normal bodily functions, and considering this any differently would be equivalent to stigmatising other innate aspects of human biology.

For more information visit – https://www.endometriosis-uk.org

by Corey Beaton (EDI Officer)

When we consider the gender balance of our lecture halls, it is hard to imagine a time when women were not permitted to study the law, nor indeed to go on and practice it, yet it has only been just over a century since Parliament removed the legal barriers to a woman’s ability to practice through the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919.

Prior to this, though, the courts upheld the rule that a woman was not entitled to practice, not on the basis of her qualifications nor aptitude, but solely of her gender. The case of Hall v Incorporated Society of Law-Agents (1901) 3 F 1059, which challenged the wording and intention of the Law Agents Act 1873 through statutory interpretation, is but one of innumerable examples of this practice. Here, with no explicit inclusion or exclusion of women in the 1873 Act, and in spite of the fact that only men had been admitted as lawyers, the court ruled that a woman was not a ‘person’ for the purposes of the Act.

What we thankfully see nowadays is the polar opposite of what we would expect to see if we were to walk the halls of an early twentieth century university, or indeed a law firm or court building. In Scotland, both our Law Officers are women, the second-most senior judge of the Court of Session is a woman, two-thirds of law students are women, 70% of legal trainees are women, and perhaps a bit closer to home, all of the Law Clinic’s staff and student directors are women.

It is a reasonable assumption that none of these women would say that it has been an easy process for them to attain the positions they now hold. Who would, when we consider the societal and institutional barriers which women continue to face in our profession?

While almost 60% of our profession consists of female lawyers, only one large-scale Scottish law firm has a majority of female partners. At a societal level, figures continue to suggest that one in three women will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime. In the wake of newly-released data which indicates an uptick in sexual crime in the past year – that is to say, those crimes which have been reported – this ratio is only likely to increase unless something meaningful is done about it.

In response, what we are now seeing in the Scottish Parliament is a debate over a long-awaited Bill which is designed to return to victim-survivors of sexual offences the agency which many have long since lost following their assaults, the ability to effectively represent themselves in section 275 hearings, and the empowerment to give their best evidence in court with the support of various vital special measures.

Only today did we learn that victim-survivors will soon be able to access a copy of their court transcripts from their rape trials for free. One campaigner for this change shared her experiences of having to crowdfund to pay for access to her transcript in order to combat an appeal lodged by her convicted rapist against his sentence.

We can no longer look at the experiences and treatment of women at the hand of the law in a vacuum; only by recognising and acting to defeat the intersectional, institutional barriers which women and girls across Scotland face can we truly take meaningful strides towards an equitable and just society which no longer puts walls up against a woman’s ability to thrive, but instead breaks them down.

We are, after all, a nation of firsts: the first practicing lawyer as Madge Easton Anderson was, the first woman called to the Scottish Bar as Margaret Kidd KC was, the first woman appointed as a Senator of the College of Justice as the Rt Hon Lady Cosgrove CBE was, and the first woman appointed as Solicitor General and Lord Advocate as Dame Elish Angiolini KC was. Our legal system is peppered with women who overcame the odds which were stacked against them to rise to the positions they all held.

As Lady Cosgrove once said in a speech to law students at Strathclyde,

“The public must have confidence that its legal system is representative of and has the ability to respond to and deal with the needs and problems of all of its citizens. A profession which is not truly representative of all of its citizens cannot enjoy that confidence. The increasing presence of women in the profession will, I believe, be a positive force.”

Lady Cosgrove

You know as well as I do that Her Ladyship’s words are truer now more than ever. The law is certainly not short of female role models, and I would encourage any woman reading this to remember the role they can play as someone else’s role model.

In January, we welcomed a team from Weightmans to provide training on Employment Tribunal advocacy. Paman Singh and his colleagues, Morag Dalziel, Erin Moncur and Zoe Kerr, put together a highly interactive session where they shared their knowledge and expertise. Our student advisors were also given the opportunity to practice examination-in-chief and cross-examination.

The Weightman’s team shared many top tips on best representing clients in tribunals and presenting the advisors with the challenging task of preparing to examine a witness in 15 minutes!

At Strathclyde Law Clinic, a large proportion of our cases revolve around employment law, and our student advisors often represent clients at tribunals during their time at the clinic. Training opportunities such as this are highly beneficial for our student advisors to hone their skills in advocacy to better represent our clients, helping us achieve our goal of improving access to justice.

“As I’m sure everyone who attended will agree, the training was a great, interactive session that will definitely be useful to advisors attending hearings in the future. A huge thank you to everyone involved!”

Anna Gren