Birmingham Law School is delighted to announce that our Pro Bono Group has been recognised for excellence in both the LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards and Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards.

With over 200 Law students involved in 14 extra-curricular projects, this is an outstanding achievement that reflects the hard work of our students and staff and the University’s commitment to the local community.

The Law School’s Pro Bono Group has been shortlisted for:

By working in partnership with law firms and chambers such as Shakespeare Martineau LLP, Mills & Reeve LLP and No5 Chambers, charities like SIFA Fireside and organisations like Birmingham Community Law Centre and the Midlands (West) Employment Tribunal, our students have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of legal issues and work with practising lawyers to provide free legal advice and assistance to those who are unable to afford access to legal support through other means. The University has invested significant resources into the Group, to ensure its sustainability and quality, with a full time in-house solicitor to co-ordinate the programmes.

Since the Pro Bono Group was established in 2008:

  • Over 800 student volunteers have engaged in delivering over 4000 hours of pro bono services
  • The Birmingham Free Legal Advice Group, the largest of the Pro Bono Group’s projects, has advised over 225 clients
  • Over 850 hours of practising solicitors’ and barristers’ time has been given on a pro bono basis to supervise our students working with the community
  • Over 1000 people have benefited from the Groups’ work.

Professor Michael Whitby, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts and Law, said, “The Birmingham Law School Pro Bono Group represents a significant commitment by staff and students at the University of Birmingham to making a positive difference to our community at global, national and international level.  The Group’s focus on increasing access to justice accords with the core values of our civic university.  It also exemplifies Birmingham’s commitment to developing graduates with attributes and experiences that make them competitive and valuable employees.”

The LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 26 April at the Houses of Parliament, with both staff and students attending and the Responsible Business Awards ceremony will take place at The Royal Albert Hall in July.  

Find out more about the work of the Pro Bono Group, which forms part of the School’s Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research