Reflections on the Law Clinic Ten Year Event (February 2014)

All

For our Law Clinic, turning ten years old is a milestone, and it certainly merited the celebration that it received – with a lovely evening spent with alumni, supporters, and current members of the Clinic. However, the true cause of celebration on the evening wasn’t what the Clinic had achieved for itself; but what it had achieved on behalf of others.

Of our 1200 recorded cases (not including the work of the evening initial advice sessions), we have secured success for at least of 93% of our clients. It is very easy to lose the sense of enormity of this achievement in a sea of statistics – but each of these clients represents someone who would have slipped through the net and likely received nothing, but for the help of the Clinic. However, the Law Clinic could never pretend that so much could be done without the enormous web of support it receives. From within, our supervisors, administrator and director work tirelessly to realise the Clinic’s ambition.  Externally, our donors, supporters and friends provide the vital money, time and assistance without which we could not function. We have the enormous fortune to be part of a supportive University at all levels – and, for all involved, this is enormously heartening.

In our Tenth Year, we have already achieved so much, and we now move into our second decade with the momentum to continue to make, with support, whatever difference we can.

Jacob Hay (Communications Officer) and Helen Donnelly (Student Director)

Pride, Awe and Good Fortune: Ten Years On (February 2014)

Anniversaries are a time of heightened emotion. The Law Clinic’s Tenth Anniversary is no exception.

13-026-95 - Version 2

I have not ceased to be amazed by the enthusiasm, commitment and courage of the students, who not only run the Clinic but also take on the best that legal and other professionals can throw at them whether in the small claims court or tribunals and now even in the intimidating atmosphere of the Sheriff Summary court and beyond.

Perhaps the most obvious emotion evoked is that of pride at what has been achieved in the last ten years: well over a thousand clients assisted, well over half a million pounds won or saved for them, as well as important other outcomes like saving people from eviction or losing their jobs, and a success rate for clients of over 90%. All of this before one counts the many other achievements which were not even part of my original vision: the public legal education programmes in prisons and schools, the investigation of miscarriages of justice through the Innocence Project, the setting up of evening Initial Advice Clinics staffed largely by our alumni, and various law reform and research projects all designed to improve access to justice.

The fact that these other projects came about largely because of the initiative and hard work of our student volunteers underlies the second emotion – that of awe. I have not ceased to be amazed by the enthusiasm, commitment and courage of the students, who not only run the Clinic but also take on the best that legal and other professionals can throw at them whether in the small claims court or tribunals and now even in the intimidating atmosphere of the Sheriff Summary court and beyond.

However, personally, perhaps the most pronounced emotion is the sense of good fortune that a combination of favourable factors has made possible the most rewarding experience of my career. Foremost among these is the student volunteers. However, it also includes a then head of Department with the vision of clinical legal education at Strathclyde and subsequently three very supportive heads of Departments, Faculty Deans, Principals, a series of efficient and warm Clinic administrators, and perhaps above all a University which takes seriously its mission to be a place of useful learning. Equally important in launching and sustaining the Clinic was the financial and other support, most notably in the form of training, from the local legal community and the recruitment of two of its members as supervisors, Kate Laverty and Annabell Fowles, to take the provision of services to a new level of professional competence. In reality, this list does not nearly do justice to the numerous people who have supported the clinic. It does, however, underlie the final emotion which all connected with the Clinic will feel – that of gratitude to all those who have made its success possible.

Strathclyde Innocence Project (January 2014)

As you may be aware, the Law Clinic has recently joined forces with the University’s Journalism department in setting up Scotland’s first Innocence Project. The project is, in effect, the last resort for convicted criminals who have exhausted the ordinary appeal process, but who have maintained their innocence throughout. Students involved carry out an independent review and investigation of the cases in a bid to identify miscarriages of justice. If evidence is found to that effect, students will submit an application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission in the hope of having the case referred back to the High Court of Appeal.

This is an exciting time for the project as we prepare to take on our second case – with a further case in waiting. As part of this expansion, we believe that student members would benefit greatly from the supervision and/or guidance of practitioners in carrying out their investigations. It is commonplace in the more established Innocence Projects in England for criminal solicitors/barristers to act in an advisory capacity for them and we would very much like to implement something similar with our own project. As such, if you currently practice in (or have experience of) criminal law and would be interested in becoming involved with the project, please contact our Innocence Project Co-ordinator, Steven McKinley (steven.mckinley.2013@uni.strath.ac.uk).

We look forward to hearing from you.

New Student Advisors (November 2013)

The Clinic is delighted to announce that 57 new Student Advisors are now fully trained and ready to begin to take on cases and become involved in our projects.

Student Director, Helen Donnelly, said:

“From their high levels of attendance at the Annual General Meeting and the series of enquiries I have received regarding our various community projects, I have a very positive feeling that there is a lot of promise among the new advisors.  For that, I am extremely grateful.  The Clinic is nothing without the students.”

Professor Donald Nicolson added:

“It is a great pleasure to welcome another new generation of Law Clinic Student Advisors. Every year, we are overwhelmed by the dedication and commitment displayed by our new intake, and we are confident that this year will be no exception. With this new intake our membership has increased to almost 200 students – more than we have had for a long time. As such, we can expect even greater things from our student-led organisation intent on enhancing access to justice.”

We look forward to being able to celebrate the success that all these new students will undoubtedly achieve on behalf of their clients.

For more information on how we handle our cases, please click here. If you wish to learn more about our projects, please click here.

 

Law Clinic Shortlisted for Herald Society Team of the Year (November 2013)

The Law Clinic is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Herald Society Team of the Year award.

This is all the more remarkable as it was a prize that the Law Clinic was awarded last year. Professor Donald Nicolson, Law Clinic Director said:

“It is very exciting to be shortlisted again for this award as it was a great surprise to win last year when we were in competition with so many other worthy causes. Hopefully, the judges will again recognise the fantastic contribution we make to the community, but just to be shortlisted two years in a row is a remarkable achievement and a tribute to the hard work and commitment of all at the Clinic.”

We look forward to hearing the results on the 20th November!

Law Clinic AGM (November 2013)

The Law Clinic held its AGM on 6th November, and, as usual, this was an inspiring event where the success of the previous year was showcased – not just at the level of casework, but also in terms of our projects. To pick just a few highlights:

  • Student Director 2012-2013, Hannah Cosgrove, won Best Individual Student Award and the Clinic was Highly Commended for the Best Law School at the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards 2013
  • Law Clinic won Team of the Year at the Herald Society Awards
  • 341 clients assisted: 180 by Students Advisors (up from 146 in the previous year) and 161 in the Initial Advice Clinics
  • Expansion of the Prisons Project from two to five prisons, expansion of the Schools Project by doubling the number of schools involved
  • First case settled through Judicial Mediation
  • Law Clinic hosts annual Scottish Universities Law Clinic Network event

Well-deserved congratulations were extended to all our members, and some members were recognised for standing out in their efforts.

The Best Newcomer Award went to Jacob Hay. Delivering the award, Law Clinic Director Donald Nicolson said:

“He is someone who volunteered for every task open from day one. If he can help, he will. He fixes IT problems, provides support to those around him, takes on cases, and steps in to do interviews at next to no notice. He worked in the Clinic nearly every day though the summer helping those around him, devoting himself to his clients, and attending Law Clinic events.  At the beginning of the summer he took the lead in organising the highly successful SULCN event, and has proved an excellent Communications Officer.”

The Best Advisor Award went to Michael Dempsey, who Donald described as follows:

“He loves a chance to enter into a good duelling match with the opposition, never rejects an opportunity to push himself further in the court. He takes on every case he can, but it is not all just about the challenge.  He is passionate about fighting the client’s case.  If there is a point to be made he will ensure it is heard and made well, but can be overheard explaining with great clarity and sympathy the most complex of legal conundra to the clients.”

Advisors Katie Souter, Emma Watson & Andrew Maxwell were commended for their performance in the Case of the Year:

“This case is one which highlights precisely how the Clinic can help the most vulnerable of individuals. Advisors went the extra mile to balance their coursework with the Clinic in order that they could continue to help the client through a particularly stressful Employment Tribunal. As a result, the client was vindicated financially, but more importantly, her experience was recognised by the Judge as involving an injustice.”

The Amanda Benstock Award for Compassion was awarded to Jacky Wall:

“She takes on cases which would challenge even the most experienced of advisors, but her concern is always how the experience has affected the client and whether they got the result they deserved. Under her stewardships the IACs have gone from comfortable levels of success to being a central part of what the Clinic does for the Community. She truly believes in the need to increase access to justice.”

The Effie Shaw Award for Dedication was awarded to Craig Leslie. In introducing the Award, Donald said:

“This year sees another new award. It was instigated to commemorate the memory of Effie Shaw who became involved with the Clinic as a volunteer at Central Glasgow CAB. She came to us after years of being a formidable fighter for worker rights and an expert in employment law. She wanted to continue the fight but her health no longer allowed her to appear in court. So we entered into collaboration with her to take on her cases that need to be argued and in doing so benefitted from years of her knowledge and the example of her dedication.

If there was a member of the Clinic who could best exemplify the quality of dedication it is Craig Leslie.  From the beginning of his Clinic membership he has been on hand whenever he can spare even 30 seconds to help out.  He takes on challenging cases and really focuses his efforts.  If there is a task to be done he is always there to volunteer. He spent most of his summer living in the Clinic, even though it was on a purely voluntary basis”

The final award, for Overall Contribution, went to Andrew Maxwell. It was hard to encompass all that Andrew does for the Clinic, but Donald spoke of Andrew as someone who was:

“Always there to help. He is very supportive and provides invaluable help on case work. He is very generous with his knowledge and experience, and is dedicated to doing the best job for the Clinic and its clients. Andrew is in his fifth year of invaluable service in the Clinic. He has been an exemplary advisor, taking on over 30 cases and always determined to the best he can for his clients even when legal solutions are not available. Not only does he do a very thorough job on his own cases he is always ready to assist others, step in when help is needed whether that be research, court appearances, phone calls or client interviews.”

The event provided all those in attendance with an immense sense of pride, and we look forward to even greater service and success in the 2013-2014 academic session.

 

Law Clinic Student Wins National Award


Student Director Hannah Cosgrove With Her Award

Strathclyde Law Clinic Student Wins National LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro-Bono Award.

We are delighted to announce that yet again the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic have been successful at this year’s LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards. Student Director Hannah Cosgrove was a much deserved winner in the Best Individual Student Award, beating off competition from seven others.

This award was thoroughly deserved after the effort she has put into the Clinic over the last two years. She has been instrumental in the formation of the Scottish Universities’ Law Clinic Network, and also has taken the lead in establishing our Schools Project, setting up links with the Terence Higgins Trust and also establishing an outreach clinic in Bathgate.

This award builds on previous successes at the LawWorks awards ceremony, which have seen the Law Clinic shortlisted on various occasions, winning Best Law School in 2009, Best Contribution by an Individual Student, Alasdair Stewart, in 2011 and more recently winning Best Contribution by a Team of Students Award, in 2012.

Hannah said “Winning this award is a perfect way to mark the end of my time in the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic. I am absolutely delighted, not only to have received this award, but to have had the opportunity to be in the Law Clinic and make a genuine difference to people who would not have achieved access to justice without it. The pro bono work that I have taken part in would not have been possible without the support and hard work of everyone in the Law Clinic and the University of Strathclyde itself. Hopefully, this is something that will continue and grow for years to come.”

Shortlisting for Law Works Awards 2013

Building on a string of recent awards and nominations, the Law Clinic is pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Law Works national pro bono awards. The University itself has been shortlisted for the Best Contribution by a Law School, and our current Student Director Hannah Cosgrove has been shorlisted for the Best Contribution by an Individual Student award. The Law Clinic has had some past success at these awards, and so would hope to continue this trend.

Donald Nicolson, Clinic Director, notes that “the fact that we have been shortlisted in these two categories, against impressive competition from across the length and breadth of Britain, demonstrates two things: the value that clinics can bring to a host university, and the sheer drive of the individual students involved. All of this is, of course, only possible thanks to the huge amount of work that the student volunteers, and small number of staff members, quietly do every day in helping people who have nowhere else to turn.”

The award ceremony will take place on 25 March 2013 in the House of Commons.