The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic was delighted to be joined by Jennifer Dalziel, a solicitor at the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre, to mark International Women’s Day 2017.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was #BeBoldForChange. The SWRC (a partnership project between Rape Crisis Scotland, the University of Strathclyde and the Legal Services Agency) is a bold, innovative and much-needed service ensuring women in Scotland who have or are experiencing gender based violence are able to access timely and appropriate legal advice and information. It was therefore fitting to explore the impact of law on women in 2017 through the SWRC’s perspective.

Jennifer has been employed by the SWRC since its establishment in 2015 and has extensive knowledge on the issues facing women in Scotland who have experienced gender-based violence. Reflecting on her experiences, Jennifer discussed recent developments in case law and legislation relating to gender-based violence, suggesting how this can be used to effect positive change in clients’ lives. Furthermore, Jennifer explored the direction the law should take in order to promote women’s rights in relation to gender-based violence.

On Thursday 16th February 2017, the Small Business Law Unit (SBLU) was invited to attend a local networking event hosted by East End Connections at Drygate Brewery. The event was open to all businesses in the area and organisations associated with providing assistance to local businesses. 

The evening included presentations by Ivan McKee MSP and Anne McLaughlin MP on how they could assist local businesses in the East End of Glasgow in practical ways, such as bringing member’s debates to parliament on specific issues affecting businesses. The event also offered a chance to network with businesses, other organisations and parliamentary representatives in attendance. At this point, SBLU advisors were able to speak individually with businesses and inform them of the services that could be provided to them at the moment and in the future following the conclusion of the pilot stage of the project.

Commenting on the event, Megan McCulloch, SBLU Coordinator said:

“This event was a fantastic opportunity for the SBLU to meet local businesses and promote our services.

Although the project is still in its pilot phase, we are excited to be able to advise three clients in the coming months through our bespoke client services with the ultimate view to launch full services later in the year.

The events that East End Connections have proved an invaluable opportunity to reach out to businesses in the area in order to empower and boost the local community. We hope that through attending these events, we will be able to contribute to this great work and make a positive impact of those who need it most.”

For more information on the work that the SBLU does and the progress on its pilot so far, please click here.

In recognition of her pivotal role in the Clinic over her eleven years of Law Clinic service, the Law Clinic’s Executive Committee approved the appointment of Kate Laverty as Deputy Director of the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic.
The role of Deputy Director will see Kate support Professor Donald Nicolson in the day-to-day running of the Clinic and with the overall strategic organisation of the Clinic. Kate will be taking up the role with immediate effect.

Kate has been a supervisor at the Clinic for nearly eleven years and last year was acting Director during Professor Nicolson’s sabbatical. Beyond her supervisory responsibilities, Kate plays a key role in a number of Clinic projects, including the establishment and running of the Women’s Right Centre.

Commenting on her appointment, Kate said:

“I am delighted to be appointed the Deputy Director of the Clinic. The Law Clinic provides real access to justice for the local community and I am proud to play a part in it. During my time in the Clinic, I have seen it develop and expand in ways I could never imagine and in my new role, I hope to continue this growth.”

Law Clinic Director Donald Nicolson added:

“I congratulate Kate on her formal appointment to the role of Deputy Director, and in truth it is a role she has being unofficially carrying out for a number of years. I am delighted that her hard work and dedication has been recognised in this way by the Executive Committee. She has played an integral role in the expansion and development of the Clinic and I look forward to continue working closely with Kate to develop the Clinic further.”

This past week saw the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic pack its bags and wish farewell to its home of seven years as it moved from level 5 of the Graham Hills building to larger premises on level 8 of the building.

With a main reception area where the supervisors and the Clinic administrator are based, as well as two meeting rooms and two working hubs for student advisors our new space is a significant upgrade from our two (small) rooms on level five. Despite some unpacking still do, the Clinic was able to reopen its doors on Friday 27 January.

Commenting after the move, Law Clinic Director Professor Donald Nicolson said:

“With an increasing number of case workers and project workers as well as the ever growing case load, the move to larger premises was long overdue.  The fact that we need more space demonstrates how much the Clinic has grown over the past few years.”

“While we may have changed offices, the hard work and dedication our advisors and staff has not changed and I look forward to the many years of success we will experience in the new offices.”

2017 promises to be another successful year in the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic, but sadly it begins with us bidding Heather Kemmett, one of the Law Clinic’s supervisors, a “see you later”.

Heather first joined the Clinic as a student advisor when she was studying at Strathclyde. After graduation Heather began working at Law At Work specialising in employment law disputes. She rejoined the Clinic in 2015 as a supervisor splitting her time between the Clinic and Law At Work and has overseen over a vast number of cases as well as ensuring the smooth running of a number of the Law Clinic’s projects. She leaves us to return to her full time position at Law At Work.

We are indebted to Heather for the fantastic atmosphere she created in the Hub, and for the support she offered the students she worked with. Her upbeat aptitude never failed to give a student advisor confidence in themselves or in the case at hand. We are very sad to see her leave, but we are sure that she will be no stranger.

Before leaving Heather said:

“I will miss the Law Clinic and you all very much indeed. I am sure the Law Clinic will continue to go from strength to strength thanks to the hard work that each and every one of you contributes to this fantastic organisation.”

Clinic Director Professor Donald Nicolson remarked:

“Working with Heather has been a brilliant experience. She is an example of all that the Clinic stands for, and her selfless dedication to the pro bono cause has long outlasted her time as a student with us. Even before joining as a supervisor, she was one of the most reliable volunteers at our IAC sessions, and as a supervisor she brought a range of improvements to the way we operate. Thank you, Heather.”

Two students from the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic recently accompanied Clinic Director, Professor Donald Nicolson, to a one day conference at London South Bank University. Discussions centred around two broad themes: methods of supervision in Law Clinics, and the reasons students volunteer for pro bono work.

Reflecting on the experience, students Thomas Jamieson and John Stringer remarked:

When we journeyed to London for the Clinical Legal Education Conference on Quality & Supervision we were not sure what to expect. It did not take us long to establish that the law clinics/pro bono organisations present all shared a commitment to providing access to justice to their communities. What was striking, however, was the diversity of models and approaches used by various organisations to achieve this goal and the extent to which this – rather than student education – is seen as the overriding goal of law clinics. Although all clinics work broadly under the same banner, no two clinics were the same and there was no consensus as to how students should be recognised for their efforts. The differences in approach are fascinating and it is beneficial to have opportunities like this conference to showcase our own approach and learn from others.

We had a fantastic time meeting our fellow student advisors from across the UK and indeed Europe. We were intrigued by the (often wildly) different models of approach to providing access the justice. All delegates left London South Bank University hoping to build on the relationships made and with a desire to keep their own clinic working collaboratively and closely for the benefit of their community.

For a full report on the range of topics discussed, you can read the students’ report here.

Wednesday 9 November saw the Law Clinic take part in the Access to Justice Foundation’s Great Legal Quiz.  Seven teams of Law Clinic students and staff from the Law School competed to be named Strathclyde’s Great Legal Quiz champions.

With Student Director/pub quiz host extraordinaire/Jacob Hay asking the questions, there were six rounds with a range of topics tackled including Olympic history, the silver screen and well known brand logos.  After six intense rounds, two teams emerged from the pack to go through to an (impromptu) tie-breaker: the Law School academics’ ‘Make Donald Great Again’ and a combined force of the Law Clinic’s Firms E, G, and H who had finished both with 64 points.  After a nail-biting finale, the student team was victorious with the winners receiving sweet treats which they graciously shared among the participants.

The Great Legal Quiz is a nationwide quiz event organised by the Access to Justice Foundation as part of National Pro Bono Week (7-11 November 2016). Several teams from up and down the country were taking part in the same quiz on the same evening in order to support local advice agencies and charities working to improve access to justice in the UK.

Commenting after the quiz, Law Clinic Fundraising Officer Andrew Harding said:

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who competed in the Great Legal Quiz.  The success of events like this is owed to those who come along and make them so enjoyable.  With the venue filled, the night was a success.  As the academic year goes on, we will continue to hold events that both raise funds for the Clinic and, just as importantly, are lots of fun.”

The Law Clinic was recently visited by four students from the University of Miami Health Right Clinics as the first part of the annual student exchange took place. The second part of the exchange will take place in April 2017, and will see four of our students and a supervisor spend four day in Miami.

During their four days with us, the Miami students were able to experience a range of the different aspects of our Clinic’s work as well as get a flavour of what Glasgow has to offer.

Having arrived on the Wednesday afternoon, the students went straight from the airport to an Initial Advice Clinic. Over the next two days they were fully immersed in the work of the Clinic, sitting in on initial client interviews, learning how we handle cases and learning about all of our projects. All along the way, there were detailed discussions of how the two clinics’ approaches differed and what we might learn from one another.

However, the exchange was not all work and no play.  The Miami students were treated to a traditional Scottish ceilidh on the Friday night and on the Saturday they were given a full tour of the city, including a visit to the People’s Palace as well as the Necropolis.  The intrepid travellers then set off for Miami early on the Sunday morning.

Commenting after the visit, Law Clinic Director Professor Donald Nicolson said:

“The annual exchange between ourselves and the Health Rights Clinic is an opportunity for us to reflect on our work as we get perspectives from the outside. The Miami students are able to share with us their views on our work and how it compares to what they do in Miami.

When our students visit the Health Rights Clinic in May, I am sure they will be able to also offer valuable insight into their work, and we can gain some great ideas that we can incorporate into our work.”

The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic enjoyed a successful night at the eighth annual Herald Society Awards with the Clinic’s Executive Committee winning the “Team of the Year” Award.

The award ceremony was held this past Wednesday (2 November 2016) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. Co-Student Directors Jacob Hay and Fergus Lawrie represented the Clinic at the ceremony alongside Diane Inglis, who was nominated for the Unsung Hero Award.

Beating out some stiff competition, the Executive Committee won the award for its work over the past year. The Executive Committee is formed of staff members and student volunteers who are responsible for matters such as recruitment, training, IT, publicity, Clinic development and external relations. The Committee also consists of elected members who take the lead on policy making and ad hoc tasks to ensure that the Clinic meets its objectives.

Commenting after the award ceremony, Law Clinic Director Donald Nicolson said:

It is enormously gratifying that the Clinic’s Executive Committee has been recognised at these prestigious awards. It would be impossible for the Law Clinic to serve so many clients, provide some many community services, involve so many students and be so successful without the Executive Committee. Staff members go well beyond their supervisory duties to help run the Clinic and oversee services not involving case work. But it is the dedication and hard work of the student members which is truly amazing and worthy of recognition. Many of the initiatives which have made the Clinic so successful have come from the students. They put in the time over and above their studies and other Clinic work equivalent to three full staff members and are on hand at all hours to assist me. Indeed, winning this award demonstrates that their hard work is not only appreciated by me and their Clinic colleagues, but also the wider community.

While our Administrator, Diane Inglis, didn’t win in her category of Unsung Hero, she was up against very tough and very impressive competition. In truth, recognition of the Executive Committee is in no small way recognition of her work: as she is at the heart of almost everything the Clinic does. We all owe her a debt of gratitude.

In addition to our annual exchange with the University of Miami Health Rights Clinic, two of our advisors went above and beyond and organised their own visits to volunteer at the Clinic this summer. Below, they share their experience. 

Julia Poole:  During my two weeks volunteering at the Health Rights Clinic, I was assigned 2 cases: one dealing with naturalisation (the process of acquiring US citizenship) while the other involved helping my client to obtain her Disability Public Benefits.

As the clinic is focused on health and rights, most cases (including immigration ones) have some medical aspect. For example, the Public Benefits case was specifically concerning my client’s disability and getting her disability legally recognised by the State and thus eligible for financial support.  The whole governmental system seemed unhelpful and I felt the Health Rights Clinic was the equivalent of Legal Aid. I worked on cases and situations I never would have been involved with in Scotland.

As well tackling my own cases, I attended a Veteran’s Drop-in Advice Clinic (similar to our Initial Advice Clinics within the context of a Veteran Project).  This experience gave me a real insight into how those leaving the armed forces can struggle in adjusting to civilian life.

Overall, I thought this an amazing experience. I met some amazing people and worked on two very different cases. The Health Rights Clinic is doing an amazing job and if given the opportunity, I would go back in a heartbeat.

Antonia Welsh:  I was assigned 3 cases; all with background stories themselves that really hit hard and involved medical problems that I have never before confronted. Two of my clients were diagnosed with AIDS and the third had been forced into child prostitution.  One of my clients was in prison so I was speaking to the prison on a daily basis and after a few days, they knew it was a Scottish girl on the phone hounding them for records. Another client had come over the US-Mexican border using a human smuggler.

These cases saw me tackling problems that are rare in our Clinic.   Two of my clients did not speak any English, and after arranging a home visit with one of my clients, a fellow advisor had to come with me to help translate.

I was also involved in naturalization cases which involved putting together a packet that would be their application for US Citizenship. The forms were anything but straight forward to understand and the sheer volume of paperwork and their complexity made me realise why people need a lawyer to help them find their way through the maze. I felt that I had really achieved something by completing the packets.

Julia and I got to attend a Drop-in Advice Clinic which was focused on helping homeless veterans. I really enjoy meeting with people and listening to their stories, understanding how they have found themselves in the position they are in and being part of a process that may be able to help support them through difficult times and offer solutions. It was eye opening to see the differences between the social welfare systems, in that there really is not the same support in place in America.  The veteran we interviewed had seen active duty in his younger years and was suffering from a number of health problems, some of which were related to his service and yet he was going to be made homeless and there was not many avenues open to him. Trying to obtain benefits in the US is a lengthy and difficult process with a number going to hearings. My client who was in prison was a young woman, with numerous mental and physical health problems and was a mother to two young children, yet at her last hearing she was denied disability benefit.

My time at the Health Rights Clinic, proved to be a crash course in American law and many of the skills that I have picked up at our law clinic came in very handy.  I feel that I have gained massively from working at the University of Miami Health Rights Clinic and being able to sample Law School in America.  For anyone that is thinking of volunteering, I could only encourage you to go as I feel learnt a lot in a very short space of time.

Students from the University of Miami Health Rights Clinic will be visiting the Law Clinic this October, in the first leg of this year’s exchange.