Tag Archives: Celebration and networking

Justice for All: The Transformative Power of Pro Bono Work Panel Discussion – Edinburgh Law School

Justice for All: The Transformative Power of Pro Bono Work

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming panel discussion on pro bono work, taking place on 7th November from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the University of Edinburgh Old College, MacLaren Stuart Room. This event will explore the profound impact of legal services in advancing justice and supporting under-represented communities. It will offer a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of giving back through legal expertise, while celebrating the incredible efforts of those leading the way in this space. Our esteemed panel includes:

 

  • Claire Paterson, a personal injury and clinical negligence expert, as well as a supervising solicitor at the University of Edinburgh’s Free Legal Advice Clinic. Claire’s work supports both her clients and law students through the legal process.
  • Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm recognized for its distinguished pro bono history and commitment to promoting the rule of law and expanding access to justice.
  • The Edinburgh Law School Tax Clinic, an initiative offering free, means-tested tax advice to individuals in Scotland, empowering students to provide over 1,000 pro bono hours since its launch.
  • The University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC), which has been providing free legal services to the community since 2007, fostering strong connections between legal education and community support.
  • The University of Edinburgh Freedom of Expression Clinic: The Clinic aims to bridge theory and practice and to offer students the opportunity to work alongside practicing lawyers on international casework. The clinic will specifically address cases of violation of freedom of expression and related human rights against journalists and media operators. The Clinic is a collaboration between Edinburgh Law School and leading practitioners in the fields of international human rights and media law, such as the international NGO Media Defence based in London.

The event will begin with brief presentations from the Law School’s pro bono clinics, followed by insights from our panellists on their personal experiences and the importance of pro bono work in their respective fields. Afterward, we will open the floor for a Q&A session, allowing you to engage with our speakers on any topics that resonate with you. Following the formal discussion, there will be an opportunity for networking over refreshments, giving you the chance to continue these important conversations and connect with fellow attendees. We very much look forward to a stimulating and inspiring discussion, and we hope you can join us. Registration can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1048876446687?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information about this event, please click on the following link:

https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/news-events/events/pro-bono-week-panel-discussion

 

 

A Tale of Two Universities: The Power of Partnerships – Dundee Students Join Forces for Pro Bono”

This panel event brings together staff, students and alumni from the two Dundee Universities – Abertay (Tayper Law Project) and Dundee ( Pro Bono Society and Dundee Law Clinic) – to discuss the benefits of Pro Bono on our local community. We are excited to invite anyone who would like to attend and hear from our Panel of leaders in this exciting area!

 

The event will be held at 5 pm, Wednesday 6th November, in the Dalhousie Building on the Dundee University Campus, Room LT2. Please follow the link below to sign up for tickets!

This is an in person event by registration only.

To register for this event, please click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck8GXB8Qx02FVebIV5Ji08JfzL9Zl92yZCZfgdLyXNPYGl6g/viewform 

Fifth Day evening on Fifth November with Reach Volunteering.

We are organising a Fifth Day evening on Fifth November with Reach Volunteering and our supporters sharing our stories about how we integrate professional pro bono into our working lives. 

 

The event is at 6pm on Tuesday 5th November at Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London EC2A 4ES for drinks and networking with supporters or firms interested in signing up.

 

Let us know if you want to come along! David.Halliwell@pinsentmasons.com

Rights of Nature: Recognising Natural Entities Panel Event – Simmons & Simmons

We are excited to extend to you an invitation to our upcoming panel event, “Rights of Nature Recognising Natural Entities”.

This event aims to bring together leading figures in environmental law and philosophy to explore the foundational concepts and future directions of the Rights of Nature movement. It’s an opportunity to engage with experts and thought leaders on the forefront of advocating for the legal recognition and protection of natural entities.

Panel Overview:

Chaired by Ali Crosthwaite from Simmons & Simmons, the panel features:

  • Emma Montlake from the Environmental Law Foundation;
  • Paul Powlesland from Garden Court Chambers; and
  • Neil Williams, a philosopher specialising in environmental philosophy

This event is designed to provide a comprehensive introductory overview of the Rights of Nature, engaging with its legal, ethical, and philosophical dimensions. The panel session will seek to define the “rights of nature” and how businesses can support the aims of providing legal personhood to natural entities such as rivers, forests and ecosystems.

We believe this event aligns with our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and legal innovation, and we would be delighted to have you join us for what promises to be a stimulating and insightful discussion.

Date :Thursday, 7 November 2024

Time: 6 – 8pm

6pm arrival and networking

6.30pm panel session

7.30pm networking drinks & canapes

Location: Lecture Theatre, Simmons & Simmons Office, One Ropemaker, Street, London

 

RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by Monday 4 November to secure your place using the following link: Rights of Nature: Recognising Natural Entities – Panel Event | RSVP (Blank) (vuturevx.com)

This event is co-hosted by the green room and the Pro Bono Team at Simmons &
Simmons LLP.

 

‘Cases of Conflict – Do shared lives with orders and the court approved parenting app help parents experience justice in the family court? – Dads House Family Law Clinic

‘Cases of Conflict – Do shared lives with orders and the court approved parenting app help parents experience justice in the family court? – Dads House Family Law Clinic as sponsored by Our Family Wizard.’

 

This event will focus on family, private child jurisdiction, with a focus on why shared lives with orders reduce conflict within Section 8 Children Act 1989 proceedings.

 

After the main discussion there will be a Q&A session for attendees, then networking.

The key themes of pro bono week below are below:

1. Barred from justice – the powerful, everyday stories of the impact of lawyers and law students who give their time to protect the rights of those most disadvantaged in society.

2. Embedding pro bono in your organisation and career – placing pro bono at the heart of everyone’s practice and hearing from those at the forefront of establishing business structures for pro bono within law firms, chambers, in house, universities and charities.

3. How technology can enhance access to justice – existing and new tools to ensure pro bono is innovative and effective.

 

This panel event is being held during pro bono week, featuring Dads House Family Law Clinic. Highlighting the need to future lawyers to do pro bono work within the current family jurisdiction where we do have legal aid. It is worth noting that this response addresses the second theme of pro bono week. This event will focus on the family, private child jurisdiction, with a focus on why shared lives with orders reduce conflict within Section 8 Children Act 1989 proceedings. This event will be addressing the nexus between the issues of father’s being barred from justice and how shared lives with orders can address this issue and injustice.

 

Another question considered is whether parenting apps, specifically Our Family Wizard, a court recommended parenting app, reduce conflict within private child matters and assist the court both in reducing the burden on the courts and promote the rule of law. In this case, the paramountcy and best interests of the child within Child Act 1989.

 

This event will also discuss how the power of pro bono will help you develop your career. This can be discussed within the context of Dads House Family Law Clinic and how in person clinics where students attend learn client skills, case management, conferences skills and understand the law in practice from highly expert practitioners both solicitors and barristers.

 

Panel Members:

1. HHJ Sapnara, recently appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge as of the 11 October 2024;

2. Simon Bruce (Legal Director of Dads House Family Law Clinic and partner at Dawson Cornwell);

3. Sophie Hill from Coram Chambers and a member of Middle Temple;

4. James Evans (Head of UK Professional Education at Our Family Wizard).

 

In the spirit of Pro Bono week, student tickets for this event are free of charge. This has been made possible thanks to the sponsoring of the event by Our Family Wizard.

For Middle Temple members, both student and called members, they can purchase tickets on their website:

https://www.middletemple.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=42084

 

For non Middle Temple legal professional and Dads House Family Law Clinic students they can purchase tickets on our Eventbrite website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-event-dads-house-and-middle-temple-tickets-1042815959607?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

MPs, Your Casework and Your Constituents – Take Your MP to Work – LAPG

Welcome to MPs, Your Casework and Your Constituents – Take Your MP to Work! Join us at the Commonwealth Room, Westminster Hall for an event celebrating the launch of the Take Your MP to Work Campaign and Pro Bono Week. Organised by Young Legal Aid Lawyers, Migrants Organise and the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, speakers will include Andy Slaughter MP, Tony Vaughan MP, and Bell Riberio-Addy MP.

Resources will also be available on behalf of the APPG Access to Justice including:

  • A Guide to Pro Bono in England and Wales, and an update on Pro Bono
  • A Guide to MP Casework, produced by the APPG
  • Justice’s Law for Lawmakers

This event is an in person event only. Essential registration can be completed at the following link:

MPs, Your Casework and Your Constituents – Take Your MP to Work Tickets, Mon 4 Nov 2024 at 16:00 | Eventbrite

If you have any questions, please contact frances@migrantsorgansise.org or rohini.jana@lapg.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Pro Bono Week 2024: The Power of Environmental Law – Faculty of Advocates

This event will showcase Pro Bono in environmental law.

It will bring together an advocate and barrister who have undertaken environmental pro bono, as well as two public interest environmental law charities, the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland and the Environmental Law Foundation. Attendees will also hear from community representatives who have benefitted from pro bono legal representation to protect their local environment.

This event will be in-person only at the Laigh Hall, with a panel of speakers including:-

  • Ben Christman – Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland
  • Emma Montlake – Environmental Law Foundation
  • Jessica Allen – 5 Barrister Chambers

 

After the panel, there will be a Q&A session as well as time to network with fellow legal professionals, charity sectors, those interested in Environmental Pro Bono work.

If you are interested in attending please register below and make a note of any dietary requirements by Tuesday 29 October as there will be refreshments and canapes served.

Members of Faculty will also be awarded 1 hour of Advocacy CPD.

To register for this event, please click here – https://members.advocates.org.uk/Public/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=PBW0611