Pro bono and clinic in law schools- what are we up to and where are we going?

contributors | abstract | presentation | biographies

Contributors

Richard Grimes (University of York)
Martin Curtis (LawWorks)

Format

Interactive workshop

Abstract

This interactive workshop had 2 objectives:

1. To disseminate the findings of the most recent LawWorks survey on law school participation in pro bono work (November 2010)
2. To facilitate a discussion on what implications these findings may have in the broader legal education landscape

Key issues in the discussion were expected to be: the affect (actual and potential) for law schools in engaging in pro bono activity; best practice in doing so; the challenges facing institutions in implementing, integrating and assessing such activity; and, the relationship between law school pro bono activity and other legal service provision.

The workshop touched upon all three planned conference themes – better teaching, flexibility of leaning and graduate impact. It also addressed directly issues around student engagement and sustainability.

The workshop aimed to give participants a clear idea of the nature and extent of pro bono and clinical provision in UK law schools whilst at the same time appreciating the pedagogic, logistical, professional and political contexts in which such programmes operate.

It was anticipated that the workshop would develop existing scholarship by promoting contributions of those active in this field of study. The debates engendered through the MacCrate (1992) and Carnegie (2007) reports – which stand in stark contrast to contemporary reviews of legal education provision in the UK – may be extended.

Presentation

Short biographies of panel members

Richard Grimes qualified as a solicitor in 1977 and has, since then, followed a career both in academia and legal practice. His work as a solicitor was conducted in general practice and law centres, with a focus on litigation and social welfare law. He has worked at several universities including Sheffield, Manchester, University College North Wales, University College Cork and Keele. Whilst at Sheffield Hallam University Richard established an in-house legal practice where students, under the supervision of professionally qualified staff, conducted real casework as part of their studies. Richard was seconded to work with the University of the South Pacific in 1995 and there established the Institute of Justice and Applied Legal Studies. Richard joined the College of Law in 2000 as Professor and Director of Pro Bono Services, but in 2006 he left to establish a consultancy service – Talkinglaw – and has since worked with educators, government and the not for profit sectors, in improving access to justice and developing legal education programmes. Most recently however, Richard joined the York Law School in August 2010 as Director of Clinical Programmes.

Martin Curtis is one of two heads of projects at LawWorks, and manages a team that covers pro bono mediation, legal training, free legal advice clinics and student pro bono. Before joining LawWorks Martin trained as a solicitor with Herbert Smith and also worked as a solicitor for Addleshaw Goddard for a number of years, practising in the field of commercial litigation. Martin has been with LawWorks for over three years.

Last Modified: 1 March 2011