Law Clinic Annual Launch (11 Nov 2009)

Strathclyde Law Clinic hosts successful launch event for new projects.

To celebrate the launch of four new projects and National Pro Bono week, the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic hosted a launch event on Wednesday 11 November 2009.

Speakers at the event included the Lord Advocate, the Rt Hon Elish Angiolini QC, and Lord Philips of Sudbury, who co-founded and is President of the legal charity LawWorks. Attended by solicitors, advocates, representatives of Glasgow advice agencies, academics and other members of the legal profession, the event addressed the need for pro bono in Scotland and the ways in which people could get involved with the new Law Clinic projects.

The new projects launched by the Law Clinic are:

  • Initial Advice Centres, a series of monthly evening sessions at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, where qualified and trainee solicitors will be available to offer free, on-the-spot legal advice and, where relevant, make referrals back to the Clinic for further representation.
  • The Greenock Outreach Project, starting in the new year with a pilot programme of monthly sessions aimed at extending the Law Clinic’s services to the Inverclyde area
  • Prisons Project, a programme for prisoners approaching the end of their sentence, designed to offer them advice on employment issues to help them in their return to society
  • Supporters of the Law Clinic, which is being established to help raise funds for the Law Clinic

Professor Donald Nicolson, Director of the Law Clinic at Strathclyde said: “I feel tonight has been a great success and it was very encouraging to see so many members of the legal profession attend and take a real interest in pro bono and the opportunities available through the Law Clinic, helping to increase access to justice for people in Glasgow and beyond”.

The successful event was highlighted in the Evening Times, The FirmThe Journal and on the BBC News website.

The Law Clinic at the University of Strathclyde has been operating for over six years and has assisted over 650 clients. The new projects are designed to build on the Law Clinic’s core service of providing advice and representation to people who do not qualify for legal aid, but struggle to afford lawyers’ fees. Earlier this year, the Law Clinic’s work won the Strathclyde Law School the Best Contribution by a Law School prize in the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards. The Law Clinic relies on and is grateful for the funding and donations received from the University of Strathclyde Law School, Graduates Association, Alumni Association and sponsors Simpson & Marwick, DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell, along with its other supporters who contribute their time and expertise.

Part of the Law Clinic’s student committee.