A University clinic that provides free legal advice to residents has received a special award from the county’s Law Society for its ‘significant contribution’ to the practice of law.
Kent Law Clinic provides pro bono assistance to people in the local community who could not otherwise afford access to legal advice and representation. Since 1992, the clinic has helped its clients obtain a total of £5.6 million pounds.
It was presented with a Kent Law Society 200th Anniversary Award for its ‘significant contribution to the development and practice of law in Kent’.
The unique award, made by Kent Law Society as part of its 200th anniversary celebrations, recognises work undertaken by Kent Law Clinic solicitors, staff, students and volunteers. It was presented to Law Clinic Director Professor John Fitzpatrick by Sir Brian Leveson, President of Queen’s Bench Division.
The Law Clinic, which is part of Kent Law School, also has a primary role to enhance the education of the University’s students through direct experience of legal practice – Law Clinic students work on live cases under the supervision of Law Clinic solicitors.
Scores of students from the Law School have gone on to enter legal practice in Kent after qualifying and, currently, 13 out of 40 local private practitioners who serve as volunteers on Kent Law Clinic’s ‘Advice Session’ rota are Law School graduates. These volunteer practitioners give advice to members of the public while being observed by Law Clinic students.