The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic’s Food Bank and Benefits Project is a relatively new project which is currently in its pilot phase. The project aims to assist members of the community with benefits-related issues at drop-in sessions held regularly at Lodging House Mission (LHM). One of the project’s regular and dedicated volunteers, Sam Daniel, describes how the project impacts on both the clients it assists and the student advisors that volunteer on it. 

“I never quite know what to expect when I arrive at LHM as every day presents new challenges. On a typical day, the project involves finding accommodation for people that typically lack any official form of it. This is incredibly worthwhile and the difference that you can make to peoples’ lives is plain.

The people I have met on this project are particularly inspiring, somehow managing to persevere with the bravest of faces in times of true and evident hardship. Clients have shared some incredible stories with me, and it is these humbling stories that motivate me to continue this work for them and achieve the best possible outcome. There is not always an easy fix for our clients’ problems, but being able to support them through the process is why I think this project is invaluable. Every time I volunteer I can help towards securing a client a roof to sleep under — something which may not otherwise have happened.”

The Law Clinic is delighted to announce that a special additional IAC session will take place on the 14th June 2017 to mark the bicentenary of the RFPG Library in Glasgow.

The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow is a body which was incorporated prior to 1668 and continues to serve the needs of the legal profession in Glasgow and West Central Scotland. Providing members with access to a large law library with significant holdings, a well regarded CPD education programme, the services of an auditor and a venue in the city centre for a wide variety of events.

The Royal Faculty of Procurators also acts as a representative body for solicitors practicing in the Glasgow area.

To mark the RFPG library’s bicentenary, it will accommodate a special IAC event. Members of public who cannot afford a solicitor but who have a legal problem can attend this event to get some information to help resolve their issue. The event will be staffed by volunteer solicitors and trainee solicitors, and run from 6pm to 7.30pm.

We cannot deal with every legal issue but we do regularly deal with enquiries in the following areas:

• Consumer Protection (defective goods and services)
• Housing Issues (relating to tenancy agreements; factors and management companies)
• Small Claims (pursuing money which is owed to you or defending an action where someone is claiming against you)
• Employment Issues (claims for unfair/constructive dismissal)

If you are a solicitor and are interested in attending this session, or other IACs, please do get in touch.

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.”