Law Wise Law Clinic Launch, 15 October
20th October 2010
Renfrewshire Law Centre and the University of the West of Scotland co-hosted a public reception to launch the new University Law Clinic, ‘Law Wise’, on Friday, 15 October in Brough Hall on UWS's Paisley Campus. UWS has four campuses at Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr and Dumfries, making it the nation's largest new university. The event was a huge success for both institutions, recognising their closer working relationship and the value of their joint Law Clinic. Over 80 delegates attended, representing the local community, the student body, the legal profession, the Law Society, the Faculty of Advocates, the Legal Aid Board, and government.
Dale McFadzean, UWS Program Leader for Law, introduced the event, speaking of the background planning for Law Wise and of the emergent trend towards academic/ professional partnership within Scots legal teaching, in which RLC and UWS are at the forefront.
Professor Seamus McDaid, UWS Principal and RLC Patron, commended the project and the work of those involved in its inception, development and launch.
Jon Kiddie, RLC Principal Solicitor, spoke of the importance of Law Wise for the benefit of student participants as well as for the broader community, particularly in these troubled economic times when individuals, families and small organisations are facing an uncertain financial future and a growing need for legal advice. Jon also paid thanks to the numerous individuals who have contributed to Law Wise over recent months, particularly Briony Cullin, Clinic Manager.
Professor Donald Nicolson of Strathclyde University Law Clinic was the first guest speaker to take the lectern. His clinic, Scotland’s first such project, was established a number of years ago, and has swelled in size and significance, having given hundreds of Glasgow law students the opportunity to gather hands-on experience of casework in a supervised environment, while helping clients who could not otherwise access justice. Professor Nicolson spoke of the role of law clinics in fostering a sense of social justice and altruism among law students, who, without this kind of experience, can often become desensitised to the common good. Research shows that participation in law clinics not only equips students will important practical skills, but moreover it can influence their choice of future career in a progressive direction. Indeed, in the USA, where university law clinics are far more prevalent than in the UK, they are seen as a legacy of the Americal Civil Righs Movement of the 1950's and 1960's, and nowadays most American law schools have associated clinics.
Mungo Bovey QC, senior human rights lawyer, Keeper of the Library of the Faculty of Advocates, and head of the Faculty’s Free Representation Unit, spoke of the important role of law clinics in facilitating clients’ access to professional representation in the higher courts through instructing volunteer advocates in pro bono cases. Law Wise and the Free Representation Unit have already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to give clients of the Clinic this facility.
Hugh Henry MSP spoke of the importance of law centres, such as RLC, in the local community, particularly in cases where clients could not access justice by other means. He recognised Law Wise as a valuable extension of this service.
RLC and UWS are very grateful to all speakers and delegates who attended the event.
Please click here to link to UWS website article.
Clockwise from top left: Dale McFadzean, Prof Seamus McDaid,
Jon Kiddie, Mungo Bovey QC, Briony Cullin, Hugh Henry MSP