Recruitment

This semester, we were thrilled to welcome two additions to our staff: Claudia Hoey and Alison Duncan. Both will be supporting our Housing Law caseload, which we know has been expanding in recent years. Claudia joined in January as our Housing Case Supervisor, and will be working alongside Alison Duncan who joined in February as a part-time Housing Administrator. Alison has been a valued Student Advisor since 2023, and we are thrilled to see her progressing in this new role. We wish them both every success in their new roles!

Training

This semester our training team have offered a number of exciting training opportunities for our students:

Imposter syndrome

We were also fortunate enough to welcome alumni of the Clinic John Stringer and his team from Keoghs to deliver a session on Imposter Syndrome at the start of 2025. This interactive session was well attended by Advisors who appreciated the openness of John and his colleagues. They shared their experiences of Imposter Syndrome as well as ways they’ve overcome this. As Advisors in the Clinic, it easy to feel “out of your depth” and it was refreshing to be able to put such feelings in perspective and understand all lawyers deal with such problems. 

Conveyancing (in collaboration with Strathclyde Law Society)

Our alumni continued to deliver for us – and we were delighted to welcome Kristy Fyfe back to the Clinic to give us an introduction to Conveyancing. As we’ve recently welcomed a dedicated Housing solicitor to our team Kristy was on hand to delve into all areas Housing as well as share her path from Advisor to Solicitor. The specialised nature of this session meant it wasn’t as well attended as we hoped for.

SWRC Training

The SWRC extended an invitation to students of the Strathclyde Law Clinic to their training day which aimed to equip legal professionals with a knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding domestic abuse and how to approach survivors of domestic abuse in their practice. One of our SWRC volunteers who attended the training day detailed their experience in the following article: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/swrc-domestic-abuse-training-day-reflections-and-key-takeaways

Legal Aid Crisis

In response to the Legal Aid Crisis, we formed a working group to formulate a response. As an organisation that bridges an essential gap between those who qualify for legal aid and can afford legal representation, we are seeing an increasing number of enquiries as more and more people in Scotland fall into this category. As such, it was important for many of us to respond. We pulled together a working group of volunteers and worked together to produce an article covering the impact of the crisis on our services, as well as contributing to a Scottish Government Consultation. You can read that contribution below: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/legal-aid-inquiry/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=364891569 and the article prepared by our working group of volunteers, here: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/the-scottish-legal-aid-crisis-strathclyde-law-clinic-students-share-their-perspectives

Events

Citizens Advice Collaboration

We welcomed a number of members of Citizens Advice Scotland to our clinic in January this year. The aim of this exchange was to learn more about the services provided by each organisation, and explore potential collaborations. You can read more about this exchange via the below article: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/strathclyde-law-clinic-and-citizens-advice-bureau-cab-strengthening-connections

Donald Nicolson’s book event

We were thrilled to welcome back our Founder, Professor Donald Nicolson, to the university to celebrate his recent book launch: How to Set up and Run a Law Clinic: Principles and Practice. The evening included a talk from Professor Nicolson, as well as an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and exchange ideas! You can read more on the content discussed through reading the article below: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/donald-nicholson-book-event

Visit from Swedish Students

In early March, a team of staff and students from the Forensic Psychology Department in Stockholm made a field trip to Scotland to visit and learn from organisations working on law and crime in different settings. In particular the group were interested in access-to-justice, miscarriages of justice, and the fallibility of legal systems.

Rowan Brockie, Daniel Johnston Faustino and Freya Sneddon volunteered to speak to the group about their experiences of working with the law clinic’s partner organisation, the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO). All three spoke passionately and engagingly about their work and how they balance the challenges that arise from working on difficult cases with the rewards of making a difference for clients who would not otherwise have a voice. The visiting professor said afterwards to say how impressed she was by their knowledge and dedication to this important work.

ALP Lecture

Corey Beaton, one of this year’s Student Directors, attended the Aberdeen Annual Law Project’s Lecture at the Aberdeen Law Project in March of this year. He detailed his experience in the following article: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/aberdeen-law-project-annual-lecture

International Women’s Day

This year we celebrated International Women’s Day with our colleagues at the SWRC with an online discussion, lead by Lindsay Fleming, SWRC Senior Associate from JustRight LLP. The online event was attended by many students, including Lauren Weetman, who detailed the event in the following article: https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/2025/03/celebrating-international-womens-day-with-student-volunteers-from-the-university-of-strathclyde-law-clinic/

Furthermore, our SWRC Volunteers took the opportunity to reflect on their time working with the organisation and the important issues and themes they have come across in doing this work. You can read these thoughts via the article below: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/updates/iwd-2025-hear-from-our-swrc-volunteers

New Clinic Merchandise

Fundraising Efforts:

A number of our student advisors participated in the Kelvingrove 10k in March this year to raise funds for the clinic. Those student advisors were: Natalie Marshall, Saeed Azodazad, Murron McManus, Freya Sneddon and Harbani Kohli. The group has raised over £400! A massive thank you to all who participated and donated!

We also successfully applied for a grant from the Blue Moon Trust, who very generously donated £10,000 to our work. We owe a big thank you to them and to Eddie Thomas, who introduced the clinic to the Trust. 

In other fundraising news, two of our student advisors and exec committee members, Megan Buggy and Abbie Clark, ran the Barcelona Half Marathon raising over £1,200 for Alzheimer’s charities in the UK. The pair carried out their training and run during their year’s abroad, studying in Valencia and Toulouse, respectively, whilst keeping up their executive committee roles. They would like to extend a big thank you to everyone in the clinic community who donated!

Advisors of the Month

January:

• Firm A – Alec Hudson
• Firm B – Romy Gilgallon
• Firm C – Isaac Frew
• Firm D – Abby Grace McKay
• Firm E – Areesa Aslam
• Online Project – Daniel Johnson Faustino
• IAC – Daniel Johnson Faustino

February:

• Firm A – Nick Murray
• Firm B – Freya Sneddon
• Firm C – Romy Gilgallon
• Firm D – Basmah Hussain
• Firm E – Ailsa McAleavey
• Online Project – Daniel Lee
• IAC – Nick Murray

March

• Firm A – Grace Rhode
• Firm B – Rowan Brockie
• Firm C – Hamaad Anwar
• Firm D – Murron McManus
• Firm E – Max Huthwaite
• Online Project – Mia Presslie
• IAC – Ryan Gray

May:

• Firm A – Alison Duncan
• Firm B – Ailie Wright
• Firm C – Morgan Barnes
• Firm D – Megan Wales
• Firm E – Laura Nicol
• Online Project – Emira Attia
• IAC – Daniel Lee

New Executive Committee (2025/26)

We have successfully recruited a new cohort of executive committee members for 2025/26…

Student Directors: Gordon Gow and Hannah Stewart

Firm Coordinators:  Jess Jayan, Afton Cook, Hamaad Anwar, Tharana Anwar and Saeed Azodazad

Online Project Coordinator: Megan Buggy

Deputy Online Project Coordinator: Emira Attia

Initial Advice Clinic Coordinator: Harbani Kohli

Deputy IAC Coordinators: Ryan Gray and Murron McManus

Public Legal Education Project Coordinator: Abbie Clark

Deputy PLE Project Coordinator: Freya Sneddon

Criminal Appeals Unit Coordinator: Rowan Brockie

The Asylum Project coordinator: Anna Ciliento

Deputy TAP Coordinator: Godwin Kangni-Soukpe

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion officer: Allana Williams

Environmental Justice Project Coordinator: Dylan Wright

Deputy Environmental Justice Project Coordinator: Emma Campbell and Callum Robertson

Fundraising Officer: Daniel Johnson Faustino 

Communications Team:

Ailie Wright, Lily Colquhoun and Basmah Hussain

Training Officer: Abby MacKay

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude and well wishes to our 2024/25 Executive Committee members for their hard work and dedication over the past year.

Links to Semester 2 Articles:

From Strathclyde to Norway: My Semester Abroad Experience

Strathclyde Law Clinic and Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): Strengthening Connections

EJP Update: UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change & Human Rights

Beyond Providing Access to Justice: Why I Believe the Law Clinic Advances Social Mobility

SWRC Domestic Abuse Training Day: Reflections and Key Takeaways

IWD 2025: Hear from our SWRC Volunteers

Donald Nicolson Book Event: Highlights and Lessons from the Evening

Environmental Justice Project 2024/25

What to expect from an Initial Interview

Aberdeen Law Project Annual Lecture

University of Strathclyde Law Clinic Secures Significant Out-of-Court Settlement in Glasgow Employment Tribunal Claim

The Scottish Legal Aid Crisis: Strathclyde Law Clinic students share their perspectives

As we end our term as Student Directors of the Strathclyde Law Clinic, we reflect on what has been an exceptionally rewarding and inspiring year. It has been our privilege to work in partnership with such a dynamic and driven community of students, staff, and supporters, all of whom have played a part in advancing our mission to improve access to justice.

This year has been marked by some truly memorable milestones. A particular highlight was the visit of The Right Honourable Lord Reed, President of the UK Supreme Court. His visit not only emphasised the national significance of our work but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of practical legal education. Lord Reed’s engagement with our students – especially his encouragement to embrace learning beyond the library – resonated deeply with our ethos as “a place of useful learning.” His praise and encouragement were invaluable as we continue to empower students to push beyond their comfort zones and become confident advocates for our clients.

Another unforgettable event was our participation in the University of Strathclyde Law School’s 60th Anniversary celebration. To stand alongside leaders of the Scottish legal profession – Lord Hope, Thomas Ross KC, Professor Kenneth Norrie – was to feel the strength of the community we are part of. It was a moment of pride and reflection, particularly as we then helped host Lord Reed for a lecture marking both the Law School’s anniversary and the 15th anniversary of the Supreme Court. Being able to share our work through an information stand and help facilitate discussions at such a high-level event reaffirmed the value and reach of the Clinic’s contribution to legal education.

We are also incredibly proud of the launch of our Environmental Justice Project (EJP). Funded by the Strathclyde Alumni Fund, this initiative allowed us to recruit dedicated student coordinators and begin vital work in collaboration with organisations like the Climate Justice Legal Initiative (C2LI). The project has already delivered valuable research into global climate litigation efforts and laid strong foundations for the future. It has helped us explore new areas of law, cultivate lasting partnerships, and develop skills that will support our student advisers beyond their years at university.

Of course, this year was also marked by bittersweet farewells. We said goodbye to our longstanding Clinic Director, Kathleen Laverty, who retired after nearly 18 years of transformative service. Kate’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the Law Clinic, from its earliest days in a single-room office to its current stature as Scotland’s largest and most active law clinic. Her leadership, warmth, and unwavering dedication have inspired generations of students, and we are grateful to have benefited from her guidance.

Our core work – casework and community outreach – has remained as impactful as ever. We surpassed £2 million in client savings, a testament to the hard work and commitment of our student volunteers and our staff supervisors. Our case successes, such as the landmark ruling on Long COVID disability discrimination, continue to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. We also strengthened links with the wider legal community through new partnerships, such as our Associate Practice Unit Membership with the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow. This membership offers students access to an exceptional range of legal resources and CPD opportunities, supporting both their casework and personal development.

Cementing our commitment to our continued growth and development was the development of our 2025-2028 strategic plan.  This will serve as a vital tool for the incoming Executive Committees over the next three years against which they can benchmark their progress in working towards widening the access of our Law Clinic to the community, as well as deepening the impact we make in facilitating access to justice for those for whom it would otherwise be unachievable.

As we (Corey and Natalie) now pass the torch to the next Executive Committee and to Student Directors Gordon Gow (remaining) and Hannah Stewart (incoming), we do so with immense gratitude and optimism. We know that the incoming team will continue to build on this and previous years’ successes with the same energy, innovation, and compassion that define the Strathclyde Law Clinic.

To the law clinic staff team, thank you for your guidance and mentorship – and especially patience! – over the past year and beyond.  Like every one of our student advisers who have moved on into the legal profession, you have all left each of us better prepared, informed, and resilient for what lies ahead; for that, we will be forever grateful.

To our student advisers, Committee members, and supporters, we couldn’t have done any of this without you.  There are no words to describe our gratitude for you all, so as simple as it is, please know that there is so much more beneath it when all we can say is, “thank you”.

– Corey Beaton, Gordon Gow, and Natalie Marshall
Outgoing Student Directors, Strathclyde Law Clinic

by Corey Beaton, Student Director

On Friday 21 March 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Aberdeen Law Project’s Annual Lecture, following a kind invitation from its outgoing Student Director, Soma Mehmood.

Founded in 2009, Aberdeen Law Project’s activities chiefly focus on community outreach programmes to communities of interest living in Aberdeen, but the Project and its student volunteers also offer advice and representation services to its clients through its clinical work.

The above was the sum total of my awareness of the Project’s activities, but I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn more about its work on the night from its information displays and past and current student volunteers.

In line with previous years’ speakers at the Annual Lectures, the keynote address by the Advocate General for Scotland, Baroness Smith of Cluny KC, certainly did not disappoint. In spite of the position that she attained in August 2024 following her appointment by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, the insights given by Baroness Smith to her duties as Advocate General, alongside her personal and professional journey to achieving that position, were as candid as they were encouraging.

Baroness Smith’s keynote address focused on three key themes: the rule of law; diversity and inclusion; and the importance of voluntary work. Taken in isolation, each of these themes is more important socially, legally, and politically than ever before; taken together and viewed holistically, they encapsulate the purest essence of what being a part of a law clinic is, and particularly the importance of the work that we do and the impact we have on those we support.

In seeking to achieve the three key principles of the rule of law – to be precise, concise, and accessible – in our advice and support given to our clients, law clinics play a keystone role in bridging the gap between those who are in a position to access legal services, and those who are otherwise unable to if it were not for the support we provide. Coupled with our Clinic’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, (in respect of our student advisers, clients, and through the vast array of benefits derived from being a volunteer), we are very well placed to continue working towards Baroness Smith’s vision of facilitating access to justice across our society.

As she noted, as a single mother who worked as an advocate and volunteer, I hope that her experiences resonate with those in the legal community – of which the vast majority is female – and inspire them to strive for the same goals that she did. Equally, for the men reading this, I hope it serves as a vital reminder of the role that we must play as champions for the greater inclusion of women in all levels of our profession, particularly in leadership.

We all have our own reasons for volunteering. This could be skills- and capacity-building through to making an impact on the most prevailing social issues in our communities. Baroness Smith’smotivation was equally relatable – because volunteering is genuinely interesting and enriching. That one of three of the UK Government’s law officers has this opinion of volunteering even after reaching the pinnacle of the profession is not just heartening, but enlightening. While we all have lofty ambitions for our career trajectories, it is equally important to continue giving back as well as looking forward.

I wish Soma all the very best in her future career, and I equally wish all the best to the two incoming Student Directors of Aberdeen Law Project. Our organisations have plenty in common, not least in the fact that we are both student-led and student-run, but particularly in the impact that we have on those who we support to make them, their voices, and their issues matter. We look forward to developing our relationship going forward, and thank you again for your kind invitation to this year’s Annual Lecture.

If you are interested in learning more about the Aberdeen Law Project, you can find their website via the following link: https://abdnlawproject.com/

by Hannah Stewart

At the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic, we aim to make legal assistance as accessible as possible. We understand that any legal meeting can be hugely daunting, particularly given the areas of law we often work with. We want to make our meeting environment as comfortable as possible and therefore would like to shine a light on what to expect from your first meeting with our student advisors.

What is an initial interview?
An ‘initial interview’ is the first meeting between a client and their student advisors. It will be arranged with the Clinic’s admin team over email or telephone, at a time to best suit your needs and availability.

The goal of an initial interview is for our advisors to gain a full understanding of your legal query. Our advisors cannot provide any legal advice during this meeting.

How long will my interview last?
Initial interviews are given an hour and a half time slot, but they often vary in duration. Please do not feel pressured by having a set time limit – our advisors will do their best to accommodate you to allow you to share your legal issue as fully as possible. A follow up meeting can be arranged if necessary.

Where do I go?
All initial interviews take place in the Law Clinic, at the following address:
Graham Hills Buildings
Room 844
Level 8
40 George Street
Glasgow
G1 1BA

We have some videos on our social media pages that demonstrate how to find the Clinic, here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9RqS1CNbqT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== and https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9m6fp2N3cX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.

What will happen at the initial interview?
Our advisors will greet you in the Law Clinic’s reception and will show you to a meeting room. There are toilets and refreshments available – please do not hesitate to ask your advisors about these.

You will be required to sign some forms regarding the work we do at the Clinic, to ensure we have permission to act on your behalf and store your data. You will have been sent this prior to the initial interview and our advisors will take you through these during the meeting. More information can be found in the email arranging the meeting.

The advisors will then allow you to talk through your case. They will ask some questions to gain a clearer understanding of the issue you are facing, as well as what help you would like from the Law Clinic.

Our initial interviews are designed to be informal and make you feel as at ease as possible – there is no expectation for you to provide detail of the possible legal claims or processes. All we need is your story.

Do I need to bring anything with me?
If you have any documents that you think are relevant to your issue, please bring these into the Clinic for your interview. Our advisors may take scans of these documents. If you are not sure what documents, if any, would be relevant in your circumstances, please do not worry. Any essential documents will be requested from you in future correspondence from your advisors.

What if I forget to share some important information?
We understand that it can be incredibly overwhelming to share details of your issue, and you may feel afterwards that there are things you have forgotten to share. You are welcome to share any further information by emailing the Law Clinic email address. You can also call and leave a message. This information will be passed on to your advisors and taken into account.

What happens next?
Our advisors will work together to draft a ‘statement of facts’ about your case. This is a document that details your issue in chronological order. Once this is complete, you will be sent this document to review and confirm that our advisors have correctly understood your issue.

Following this, our advisors will consult with their supervisor, a legal professional, to explore how the Law Clinic can best help you with your issue. They will provide details of any help we can offer in a letter of advice.

If you are in need of legal advice, please do not hesitate to complete an enquiry on our website, at https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/enquiry-form.

The EJP project was kick started in July last year by a generous donation from Strathclyde’s alumni fund. The funding led to the recruitment of a project coordinator and a deputy coordinator, Dylan Wright and Natalie Houston respectively, both of whom have been progressing the project ever since.

Dylan describes his experience below:
“Thanks to the grant provided by the Alumni Fund, I was taken on by the Clinic in a paid summer role. In this role, I had to pleasure of working on several aspects of the Environmental Justice project. I assisted in a research project in collaboration with C2LI (Climate Justice Legal Initiative), which involved researching environmental litigation cases to help populate a climate litigation database. I also carried out a mapping exercise, looking into what other law clinics were doing in this area of law regionally, nationally and internationally, and what organisations were working with law clinics in this area of law. I collated this information into a project guidance note which has been used to inform the project’s future direction. I was then able to apply for the role of project coordinator. This opportunity has allowed me to gain a further understanding of this area of law, which was one that I was not overly familiar with before. It also helped me to assist with the fantastic work being done by those already working in this area. It helped me to hone my research skills and work on projects that are making a difference in the field of climate justice. This experience, whilst being personally and professionally fulfilling, has provided me with a greater skill set that will last me beyond my years in formal education, and has enabled us as a clinic to forge lasting connections with those we collaborated with thus far.’

We thank the alumni fund for its donation and look forward to seeing what the project does in the future.

By Harbani Kohli

On 12 February 2025, we welcomed our founder, Professor Donald Nicolson back to the University of Strathclyde to give a talk on his new book “How to Set up and Run a Law Clinic: Principles and Practice”. The event was hosted by the University of Strathclyde and organised by Gordon Gow, Student Director, and Gillian Melville, Supervisor. Many thanks to those who attended the event and to those who made the event possible. 
The following article was produced by Harbani Kohli, a Student Advisor who attended the talk, and provides a detailed overview of the event and the main points discussed by Prof Nicolson…

Professor Donald Nicolson OBE is a pioneering figure in the law clinic world.  His inspiring career has been dedicated to making the law more accessible, while empowering the next generation of socially conscious lawyers.  We at Strathclyde know Professor Nicolson as the founder of Strathclyde Law Clinic, an award-winning model for student-led law clinics across the UK.  The thriving clinic today reflects Donald’s belief that law students should gain practical experience while making a difference in their communities. The Clinic will celebrate 22 years this year, and it’s continued success remains a testament to what was envisioned more than two decades ago.

On 12 February 2025, I joined staff and students at a talk by Professor Nicolson about his recent publication, “How to Set up and Run a Law Clinic: Principles and Practice” co-authored with JoNel Newman and Richard Grimes. The session, which was hosted by Strathclyde University, was well attended by those with an interest in pro bono legal services and education, and I am glad to have been there for Professor Nicolson’s homecoming.

Professor Nicolson gave guidance for those wishing to establish and manage their own law clinics, while also giving attendees a deeper understanding of the founding principles behind Strathclyde Law Clinic. It was great to see some of the original founding student members of Strathclyde Law Clinic present at the session too.

Professor Nicolson spoke about the importance of experiential student learning. He also discussed the importance of supervisors, which stuck with me, as I have always felt incredibly supported by the supervisors at Strathclyde Law Clinic who truly go above and beyond in their support for students.

Professor Nicolson also spoke about the duality of clinics, which, depending on which type of clinic you set up, can function as both places of learning and places to enhance access to justice. This is the model in action at Strathclyde Law Clinic and I think it demonstrates that when a law clinic provides legal services to people who cannot afford it, it also shapes minds and encourages the next generation of lawyers to think about the importance of pro bono work.

The Law Clinic at Strathclyde runs various projects in line with Professor Nicolson’s suggestions including Public Legal Education Sessions, specialised projects, and generalist advice platforms like the Initial Advice Clinic (IAC). As the Depute IAC Coordinator, I have had the chance to experience running the latter first hand which has shown me its importance in people’s lives and how crucial it is for people to have access to legal advice.

Strathclyde Law Clinic is and remains a social justice-oriented clinic. It became a formally educationally oriented as well with the introduction of the clinical LLB (CLLB) programme, an innovative degree designed by Professor Nicolson, which is thought to be unique in the UK, and possibly in the world.

Professor Nicolson’s observations force one to think about one’s motivations towards becoming a lawyer. I personally have had the privilege to speak to many students who genuinely want to give back, not just to the community but to the Law Clinic that played a pivotal role in their legal journeys.

I started my studies at Strathclyde in 2022 and joined the Strathclyde Law Clinic as a Student Advisor and Elected Member in the 2023 cohort, hoping it would be something I could speak about during application season, but it quickly became a part of who I am. The clinic completely transformed my experience, and I instantly felt like I belonged and had someplace to go. This is the essence of what I took away from Professor Nicolson’s talk. Law clinics don’t only have a social justice benefit, but they can bring people together and oftentimes give students purpose, both personally and professionally.

The talk was followed by a well-attended social which shows that law clinics aren’t just charitable bodies but can be like big families. I have certainly felt that way and Professor Nicolson’s message to keep the family together can certainly be seen throughout his book and in the way he delivered his lecture. I am privileged to be a part of the Clinic at Strathclyde and to have been able to attend the talk because it was a testament to how far Professor Nicolson’s vision has come and gives us as students ideas on how to develop it even more for the future.

With this year’s theme being “Accelerate Action”, we are showcasing some of our incredible volunteers who are taking action in their role as a Student Volunteer with the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre. We hope by sharing the experiences of our volunteers you are inspired to take action this International Women’s Day to further gender equality. You can hear from those volunteers below:

“As student volunteers at the SWRC we witness that the law too often fails to protect women from gender-based violence and creates a society where women having equal opportunities seems almost unimaginable. The rights of women need protection and advocacy now more than ever, whether that be due to dangerous misogynistic beliefs growing amongst younger males, or the legal aid crisis denying women access to justice. 

On this year’s International Women’s Day, it is therefore crucial to work together to Accelerate Action towards achieving Gender Equality. This can take the shape of sharing resources from groups like the SWRC to those you think may need it or taking the time to educate yourself on issues of gender inequality that continue to affect every women in our society. By doing this we can speed up change that women require to live free from harm.”

Heather Dickson (SWRC Coordinator)

“The work done by the SWRC to advocate for women experiencing gender-based violence is hugely important, and volunteering with the SWRC team has been a highlight of my work at the Clinic. It is incredibly empowering to have the opportunity to contribute to the work they do and to see the bigger picture of the impact of our research. I am proud to be involved in helping women navigate this complex and challenging area of law.”

Hannah Stewart

“International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration, it’s a call to action. It reminds us of the incredible progress made toward gender equality while also shining a light on the injustices that persist, particularly the devastating impact of gender-based violence. Too many women still face barriers to safety, justice, and independence, and it is our collective responsibility to challenge these inequalities. Working with the SWRC has been an eye-opening and deeply personal experience. It reinforced my belief that legal advocacy is not just about the law, it is about giving women the power to reclaim their lives.  

Days like IWD remind me why I chose this path. They remind us all that change is possible and necessary. When we stand up, speak out, and support one another, we move one step closer to a world where no woman has to live in fear, and every woman has the opportunity to thrive.”

Tharana Arun

“I’m incredibly proud to be a volunteer at the SWRC! Being part of an organisation that supports women and girls facing challenges and barriers to justice across Scotland is powerful! My experience as a volunteer has not only deepened my passion for this cause but has also inspired me to spark more conversations with others about critical issues. I believe that by raising awareness and speaking openly, we can work towards a more supportive and inclusive society.”

Mia Presslie

“The Law has the power to transform lives- but too often, women still face significant challenges in accessing justice. Volunteering with the SWRC has been an eye-opening experience, showing me firsthand the barriers women encounter in the legal system. It has been incredibly inspiring to continue to advocate for change in Scotland. 

On this International Women’s Day, I am reflecting and celebrating the strength and resilience of women and around the world.”

Morgan Francis

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By Morgan Francis

On Friday 21 February, I had the opportunity to attend a domestic abuse training day hosted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC). The event was designed for students, trainees and newly qualified solicitors and aimed to deepen our understanding of domestic abuse and to equip us with the knowledge to provide informed legal advice.

The training day featured a plenary session led by Helen Hughes, covering key topics such as understanding domestic abuse, trauma and the legal framework surrounding protective orders. In addition, there were smaller breakout sessions to consider case studies focusing on trauma- informed client meetings and advising victims on protective orders. This article explores some of my key takeaways from the training and things I learned.

Understanding Domestic Abuse
When advising clients who have experienced domestic abuse, it is crucial that you have a sound knowledge of the relevant law and a clear understanding of what domestic abuse and coercive control entails. It is also essential to recognise how trauma can impact clients at every stage of the legal process.

Research shows that domestic abuse is not typically an isolated incident, but rather takes the form of a pattern of coercive control over any and every aspect of a person’s life. Control takes away autonomy, freedom of speech, freedom of movement and for two women a week in England and Wales (reguge.org.uk), and in the last four years, 31 women in Scotland, their lives.

Section 11 (7c) of the 1995 Act defines abuse as including ‘violence, harassment, threatening conduct and any other conduct, giving rise, or likely to give rise to physical or mental injury, fear, alarm or distress’ and defines conduct as including ‘speech and presence in a specified place or area’.

As well as asking sensitive trauma informed questions, it is paramount you assess the risks specific to your client and remain mindful of those risks throughout the case. Safety should be the primary consideration. Always ask the question- is the next step I am about to take safe for my client and her children?

Protective Orders
Even when the perpetrator is subject to bail conditions or special bail conditions it is still open to the victim to seek protective orders via the civil courts. What orders the client can seek will depend on a variety of factors, including whether the client and the perpetrator of abuse are married, civil partners or a cohabiting couple.

The Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) Scotland Act 1981 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 offer protective orders in the form of:
1. Exclusion Orders
2. Matrimonial Interdicts
3. Domestic Interdict.

For protective orders to be effective, it is necessary for a power of arrest to be attached to them. A power of arrest enables the police to arrest the perpetrator of abuse if they breach the terms of the court order. All powers of arrest are now sought in terms of the Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001.

Final Reflection
Having the opportunity to listen to Helen Hughes was very inspiring and has been a highlight of my recent volunteering with the SWRC. With International Women’s Day 2025 approaching, the training reiterated the barriers many victims of domestic abuse still face in the legal system. It highlights the importance of continuing to advocate for change- both for women in Scotland and around the world.