Nominees announced for 2020 student pro bono awards

The shortlist of nominees has been announced for the 2020 LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards, sponsored by LexisNexis.

The awards recognise the outstanding pro bono activities of law students and law schools, which in many cases are the only way for vulnerable people to access the justice system.

The winners will be announced on 13 May but there will not be an awards ceremony due to ongoing social distancing measures. However, an event to celebrate the winners and nominees is planned for later this year.

This year’s nominees are:

Best new pro bono activity

• Birmingham City University Welfare Benefits Clinic, Birmingham City University

• Legal Advice Centre, University of Bolton

• University of Bristol Law Clinic Inquest Team, University of Bristol Law Clinic

• Hertfordshire Law Clinic, Hertfordshire Law School.

Contribution by an individual

• Sartaz Billing, Hertfordshire Law School

• Jade Hunt, University of Essex

• Genevieve Pilaprat-Douglas, University of York

• Francesca Shellard, Nottingham Trent University

Best contribution by a law school

• Anglia Ruskin University Law Clinic, Anglia Ruskin University

• BPP University

• School of Law, University of Leeds

• Liverpool Law Clinic, University of Liverpool

• Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre, Nottingham Trent University

• University of South Wales Law School, University of South Wales

Best contribution by a team of students

• Enterprise Clinic Student Director Team, BPP University

• King’s & Z2K project King’s Legal Clinic, King’s College London

• Plymouth Law Clinic and Red Cross partnership, British Red Cross and University of Plymouth

• Streetlaw in the Manchester Employment Tribunal, University of Salford and BPP University

• The Refugee Law Clinic, Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University

• Initial Advice Clinics, University of Strathclyde Law Clinic.

The winners of the Access to Justice Foundation award and the Law School Challenge will also be announced this month.

Attorney General Suella Braverman QC MP said: “It is fantastic to see so many students across the UK working hard to give back to their communities by providing pro bono advice to those in need, and I want to congratulate you on your efforts. While the awards event is being postponed, your work is still absolutely recognised and I thank you for it.”

James Harper, executive sponsor for rule of law and CSR at LexisNexis, said: “LexisNexis are delighted to be sponsoring these awards. Our heartfelt congratulations to all those nominated and shortlisted; we look forward to celebrating with you later on in the year. The standard of entries this year was incredibly high and is a reflection of the impressive, innovative and vital pro bono work being delivered across the country by students and law schools.”

The judges for the 2020 awards are:

• Peter Farr, head of civil law policy, Ministry of Justice;

• David Greene, vice president, the Law Society of England and Wales;

• James Harper, executive sponsor, rule of law and CSR for LexisNexis UK & Ireland;

• Josh Richman, senior editor, LawCareers.Net; and

• Leanne Targett-Parker, chair, Bar Council Pro Bono Committee.