by Heather Dickson

One of the highlights of my time at the Strathclyde Law Clinic has undoubtedly been my involvement in the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) project. I was therefore delighted to undertake an internship with the SWRC over the summer. It was a great opportunity which allowed me to learn from the legal team at Just Right Scotland and spend time with the advocacy team at Rape Crisis Scotland. The experience I gained has been incredibly valuable and I know it will help me throughout the rest of my legal career.

Throughout the summer, I was able to massively develop my practical legal skills. I learnt how to use case management systems, draft court documents and take effective meeting notes. My research skills were also strengthened. I was given the task to begin scoping out the development of accessible legal guides explaining to service users how to self-represent in legal proceedings. With the current legal aid crisis forcing many marginalised people to face court alone, I’m sure these guides will be extremely beneficial for women in Scotland.

What I also found very interesting was shadowing solicitors and advocacy works on the SWRC helpline or during legal callbacks to service users. I quickly came to realise that gender-based violence can impact all aspects of everyday life and so the list of legal issues that women can experience is extensive. This highlighted to me just how important the SWRC is in ensuring access to justice to survivors/women who often feel unsupported by the law.

My favourite thing about this internship has got to be working with everyone, not just at the SWRC, but across the whole of Just Right Scotland. I felt a part of the team almost instantly, being invited to staff meetings or lunches and receiving lots of helpful career (and travel) advice! It has certainly made the idea of lawyers and law firms a lot less daunting. I can’t wait to continue working with everyone as I take on the role of SWRC coordinator within the Strathclyde Law Clinic this academic year. I would also encourage both new and existing advisors to get involved with this exciting project in the coming year!

Two of our student advisors (Fiona Rennie and Scott Gillanders) have created resources which aim to assist SSSC workers who are subject to a fitness to practice investigation. Many low paid SSSC workers cannot afford a solicitor and cannot obtain legal aid for a fitness to practice hearing. The resources cover various topics including registration conditions and suspension orders and provide advice on preparing for a fitness to practice hearing.

One of our advisors who helped to create the resources, Fiona Rennie, has worked on several SSSC cases at the Law Clinic. She found that each case she worked on highlighted the level of unmet legal need in this area. She explained that: “SSSC proceedings can have a significant impact on a person’s employment and wellbeing. It can be extremely daunting for a worker to navigate the process and not be represented. Unfortunately, we cannot take on all the SSSC clients who ask for our help, I hope that these resources will help those who are unrepresented to feel more prepared when dealing with SSSC proceedings.”

This project was funded by our Alumni fund and you can find our resources here: https://www.lawclinic.org.uk/scottish-social-services-council-sssc-fitness-to-practice-resources

Today, Thursday 15 August 2024, we say goodbye to Kathleen Laverty, as she leaves her role as Clinic Director after almost 18 years with us at the Law Clinic, and embarks on retirement.

Below are a few words from Kate…

“After almost 18 years with the Law Clinic it is time to say goodbye. The Law Clinic has been a huge part of my life and in so many ways it feels like yesterday since my first days. The beginning saw me being chief cook and bottle washer- answering the phone, arranging client appointments, supervising casework and fighting my way to a desk amidst the melee of students who loved to congregate in our one room in the Lord Hope building. It was the kind of chaos I thrived in but I was ever grateful for each new person who was added to the team. I have worked with so many terrific students over that time, so many of whom gave so much of their time and energy to do their utmost for their clients, and they are still doing the same today. They push themselves out of their comfort zones and show immense courage in what they do. This has never ceased to encourage and inspire me in my role. I have also worked with brilliant colleagues, in the Law School and the Law Clinic, and I could never wish for better team mates than Kathleen, Gillian and Diane. Each and every one are so good at what they do but they are also supportive, collaborative and a lot of fun. Although the Law Clinic has in many ways changed beyond recognition since those first days, at it’s heart it has never lost sight of its main purpose, to help improve access to justice in the best way we can. While I am moving on to a new life of retirement, full of excitement about what that will bring, I will miss all the people who are the Law Clinic. I am leaving behind a dynamic, flourishing and ever committed group of people and I very much look forward to hearing all about their achievements in the years to come.”

We thank Kate for her many years of service, and unwavering dedication to our clinic, our clients, our students and access to justice. I hope you will all join us in wishing her well in retirement!

On Monday 20th May, Strathclyde held the annual Scottish Universities Law Clinic Network Conference (SULCN). This is an initiative which works to bring together and raise awareness of student law clinics in Scotland. This year’s conference brought advisors and pro bono volunteers from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and across Glasgow to the University of Strathclyde, to explore this years’ theme – Student Representation in Law Clinics: Building Skills and Addressing Fears.

Workshop 1: Teamwork
As the theme of this year’s conference was focused on representation: building skills and addressing fears, our new student director team delivered a workshop on teamwork.
Team work plays a crucial part in representation in most Law Clinics and this workshop was aimed at enhancing teamworking skills. This workshop was broken down into three different exercises all of which were designed to explore issues arising from teamwork, give an insight into team dynamics and behaviour and to explore techniques and skills to enhance team work. The exercises were very interactive and explored themes such as collaborative working, decision making, and resolving difficulties.
We hope this workshop helped our attendees to work more effectively in teams and to develop skills such as collaboration and communication.

Workshop 2: Representation
During the 40-minute session, we delved into the fears and complex dynamics associated with representation. Participants discovered that these fears are widespread among advisors, fostering a sense of shared experience and mutual support as they faced these challenges together.

The session used methods learned from David McQuoid Mason, a celebrated South African Clinical legal expert, to explore useful techniques to assert your position in diverse scenarios such as judicial mediation, client representation, and negotiations with solicitors. We emphasised the importance of quick thinking and adaptability, highlighting tools that help to craft persuasive, client-centred arguments. This reflective approach not only enhanced participants’ practical skills but also boosted their confidence in handling real-world situations.

The session successfully fostered an engaging environment where advisors felt comfortable openly discussing and addressing their fears related to representation.

Panel Discussion: Fears in representation
Following the interactive sessions we were very fortunate to have legal practitioners and students with experience of representation, join us in a discussion about how they addressed their fears and what tips they might have for students preparing to represent.

The panel consisted of:
• Kirstie Webb – a Strathclyde Law Clinic alumna who recently qualified as a solicitor following a traineeship at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
• Margot Nicol – a sole practitioner in Stranraer with Nicol Harvey & Pierce Solicitors, with a wealth of experience across various disciplines including criminal and family law.
• Employment Tribunal Judge David Hoey – a Strathclyde alumnus with experience in practice and on the bench in Employment Law
• Adam Crainie – one of our current student advisors, who has represented our clients on several occasions in forums such as the Housing and Property Chamber and Sheriff Court.
• Lauren Weetman – one of our current student advisors, Lauren is part of our Initial Advice Clinic team and has experience representing clients in SSSC fitness to practice hearings as well as recently completing a 5.5 day merits hearing at the Employment Tribunal.
The discussion took the form of a Q&A with each panel member sharing invaluable advice and experiences with Corey Beaton, our current student Director, doing an excellent job of chairing. We discussed how to prepare for hearings, what lessons our panel had to learn the hard way, and what they took from their university and pro bono experiences into their profession.

Key note speech: Employment Tribunal Judge David Hoey
Judge Hoey shared his experience and career history whilst giving detailed and insightful advice on how best to prepare for hearings from the perspective of the bench. Many of our attendees agreed that this advice was incredibly useful for preparing to represent clients, both in hearings and generally. From pet peeves to be avoided when dealing with the judges and the courts, to the big ‘must-do’s’, Judge Hoey’s talk will be taken into many attendees’ future careers!

With many thanks to all attendees who contributed so enthusiastically, to all our excellent panel and speakers, workshop facilitators and organisers.

Case Highlights

Two of our advisors have been dealing with a complicated employment case involving whistleblowing, and are dong a great job drafting and managing the case as it progresses. 

Two of our students represented their client in a Preliminary Hearing before the Employment Tribunal in a disability discrimination claim. They prepared well for the hearing and handled the discussion about the issues in the case very well.  

A number of students are working on Employment Tribunal and Housing cases with hearings scheduled for March with some of these students juggling pressing academic commitments at this time of year, including dissertation deadlines. Well done to all of them for keeping up with their case work.  

Events

Simple Procedure Training with Patrick Campbell Corcoran

This month, one of our alumni, Patrick Campbell Corcoran, visited the Law Clinic to give us all training on simple procedure. Simple procedure is an integral part of the work we do in the Law Clinic

Patrick provided an excellent comprehensive training session, filled with tips and tricks on how to conduct yourself when advocating for clients.

Thank you so much to Patrick for his wonderful training and resources for our student advisors!

Impact and Knowledge Exchange Showcase 

As part of an Impact and Knowledge Exchange Showcase event organised by Genevieve Lennon from the Law School, the Law Clinic took part in the poster exhibition and Amy Woodcock, student co-ordinator of the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre spoke about the work of the Centre as well as producing a poster showcasing the Centres work.  

Public Legal Education

Saeed Azodazad, Emma Campbell and Harbani Kohli recently delivered a talk on how to deal with issues arising in social housing to Govan Community Project. Following this, we received a call from a member of the public asking if she could attend the next session, and also a request from the group organiser to run the session again for their women’s group later in the year.  This is great feedback, so huge well done to them. 

It was a great experience to meet the local community and get their ideas about future PLE Sessions. I look forward to delivering more sessions in the future 

– Emma Campbell 

Pro Bono Skills.com Virtual Event

Advisors attended an online event held by probonoskills.com which featured Staś Kużmierkiewicz from Covington & Burling LLP and Nabil Khabirpour from the Law Corner speaking on ‘Careers and Connections in the Pro Bono Sphere’.

“The event consisted of an insightful discussion between Staś and Nabil about the role Pro Bono work has taken in their professional life. My biggest takeaway from the discussion was learning about the pair’s experience integrating Pro Bono work with their busy lives, and the place that their employers have created for the work they are passionate about. The discussion has really shaped my ambitions, now harbouring a belief that I can continue to work towards access to justice whilst pursuing a career in other areas.”  

– Event Attendee

Advisor News

In the spirit of international women’s day, both Alyssa Smart and Heather Dickinson were nominated for awards for their work in the women in leadership network. They have been student advisors since October 2022 as well as working with WILN at Strathclyde. Heather is also one of our volunteers for the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre, helping with the International Women’s Day Event held in March. Congratulations to both Heather and Alyssa!

Other News:

LGBT History Month by Corey Beaton

As I reflect on what I wrote less than a year ago for Pride Month 2023, it is with a heavy heart that I write about the bleaker picture which is presented to us less than twelve months later.

From the Jordanian security forces’ crackdown on LGBT activists in December 2023 to the Russian Supreme Court’s ruling that the “international LGBT movement” is extremist, these actions are not unusual among the 62 other countries whose laws do not recognise nor protect the rights of its LGBTQ+ citizens.

While we recognise the repeal of section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 and the introduction of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 as being significant milestones in the journey towards the mainstreaming of LGBT rights in Scotland, we ought to stand in solidarity with those to whom no legal protections are afforded.

The law has consistently been an effective vehicle for change when wielded in a way which is just and equitable. There is no reason why the same should not be done to protect those who do not enjoy the same rights and protections under the law as we all do, irrespective of our sexes, gender identities, or sexual orientations.

To that end, we should all give thanks to the progress and change which the LGBTQ+ movement has campaigned so valiantly and resiliently for in the fifty-one years since London heralded its first Pride march, and we should strive to campaigning alongside it in pursuit of greater protections for some of the most marginalised individuals in society.