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Feb. 23, 2010

Scotland's Justice secretary visits University of Strathclyde

Scotland's Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, was given an insight into the work of Strathclyde's pioneering Law Clinic, based in the University's Law School, when he paid a visit there last month. Mr MacAskill met staff and students at the award-winning, student-run Clinic, which offers free advice and representation to members of the public who do not qualify for Legal Aid but still have difficulty in affording legal fees. He heard opinions about ways in which access to the type of work done by the clinic could be broadened and ideas for developing pro bono work, free legal services performed by lawyers for people who have difficulty affording fees.

Mr MacAskill said: 'It’s good to see students with difficult courses to pursue and other jobs to hold down contributing their free time and expertise to help others.'

Professor Donald Nicolson, Director of Strathclyde Law Clinic, said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome Mr MacAskill to Strathclyde. We are at the forefront of efforts to widen access to legal services - he seemed genuinely interested in what we are doing here and his visit was a great endorsement of our work. He listened to our ideas about access to justice and how it might be improved. We also offered an impression of the invaluable experience which the Law Clinic offers to our students and the commitment to justice which it helps to cultivate.'                   

In 2009, the Law Clinic's work won Strathclyde Law School the Best Contribution by a Law School prize in the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards.

The Law Clinic also recently announced plans to extend its support for West of Scotland communities, with a new range of services including Initial Advice Centres, a series of monthly evening sessions in Glasgow, and The Greenock Outreach Project, a pilot programme of monthly sessions for the Inverclyde area. 

Find out more about Law at the University of Strathclyde.

Find out more about the Law Clinic.

Content added on the 23rd February 2010.

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