The student-run at the University of 欧美高清 has been named a winner in the Herald鈥檚 Law Awards of Scotland, in recognition of its work in giving access to justice to communities in the Glasgow area.
The Clinic was named the winner of the Pro Bono award, which it has earned through extensive work in offering free representation and advice to people who are unable to obtain legal help by other means.
In the past year alone, the Clinic has dealt with more than 400 cases and its student volunteers dedicated 4171 hours to their casework.
Since its inception, the Clinic, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has helped more than 4000 people in more than 6000 cases and has won or saved 拢2 million for its clients.
The Clinic is currently staffed by approximately 120 volunteer student advisors, 25 volunteer solicitors, three staff solicitors and one staff administrator.
Law Clinic Director Kate Laverty said: 鈥淭he Law Clinic is delighted to have received this award. It recognises the incredible amount of work our volunteer students dedicate to their cases while juggling the many other demands on their time. They join the Clinic with a commitment to improve access to justice in their community and in doing so they face many challenges.
鈥淲e are so proud of their many achievements and to see them recognised in the legal community is a great boost for them and the Clinic as a whole. It also recognises the many pro bono hours our volunteer solicitors willingly give to advise those who would otherwise have no access to legal advice, which is all the more important at a time when legal aid is increasingly harder to access.鈥�
The Clinic previously won the Herald Society Team of the Year Award three times and received the Evening Times Community Champion North West Public Service Award in 2018. In the Lawworks and Attorney General Awards, it has twice won Best Contribution by a Law School, received the Best Contribution by a Team of Students award in 2012 and has provided the Best Contribution by an Individual Student winner on four occasions.
Herald Editor Catherine Salmond said: 鈥淚t is our pleasure to acknowledge and celebrate the vital contribution made by the legal sector in Scotland.
鈥淭hese awards ensure that excellent quality of work being undertaken by Scotland鈥檚 most respected lawyers and law firms are recognised and rewarded.鈥�