Law students and law schools across the UK have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to access to justice at this year’s LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards. The ceremony, held in the House of Lords, celebrated the achievements of students from Liverpool John Moores University, the universities of Glasgow, Southampton, and Warwick Law School.
Liverpool John Moores University won the award for ‘Best New Pro Bono Activity’ for its Windrush Community Law Clinic. Launched in July 2024 in collaboration with Liverpool Advocates for Windrush, the clinic assists individuals in the Merseyside area with applying to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and accessing broader immigration advice. Managed by a team of 15 student volunteers, the clinic also developed a user-friendly web-app to help individuals check their eligibility for compensation. To date, the team has supported 32 individuals and is piloting the app with community groups, with wider public outreach through media appearances and events.
The University of Southampton’s Maddy Nicholl received the award for ‘Best Contribution by an Individual’. As a second-year law student and co-vice president of the university’s Law Clinic Student Committee, Nicholl has been instrumental in launching several new initiatives, including a McKenzie Friend service and a court form-filling scheme for litigants in person, as well as recruiting 150 new clinic volunteers in a single year. In addition, Nicholl volunteers with Lawyers Against Poverty, the Environmental Law Foundation, and women’s rights charities, while also supporting local businesses with CSR planning.
The University of Glasgow’s School of Law received the award for ‘Best Contribution by a Law School’ due to its Glasgow Open Justice Centre. Since its launch in 2023, the Centre has involved 140 students in 14 different pro bono projects, ranging from community legal education for homeless service users to legal representation in sexual violence cases through its Emma Ritch Law Clinic—the first of its kind in the UK. A standout project, the Lawyering for Social Change Clinic, addresses racial injustice and provides students with opportunities to work on live cases under staff supervision, with all learners reporting increased legal knowledge as a result of their participation.
Warwick Law School’s School Tasking Team won the prize for ‘Best Contribution by a Team of Students’. This innovative outreach program introduces legal systems to nine- and ten-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds through engaging, interactive tasks. The project aims to demystify the law for young learners and foster early interest in legal careers.
The Attorney General, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, expressed his pride in pro bono work, stating that it offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the wider community and engage with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Congratulations to all the nominees who have made a significant contribution to pro bono work.
I would encourage all of you to continue being ambassadors for pro bono work as you embark on your legal careers.
LawWorks Chair Alasdair Douglas added: ‘All those nominated or shortlisted deserve recognition and appreciation for their work — not just by our annual awards, but by society at large.’
