The University of Hertfordshire’s Law Clinic has been shortlisted for two LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards.
Herts Law student, Jekaterina Bodnarchuk, has been shortlisted for Best Contribution by an Individual Student, and the clinic’s Justice Bus Project has been shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Team of Students.
Jekaterina volunteers for many pro bono projects including the Welfare Benefits Appeals Project in collaboration with Citizens Advice Stevenage. During her time volunteering with the project, she has helped 42 clients who have been refused Personal Independence Payments, helping them to recover £12,000 in benefits on appeal.
The Justice Bus Project provides outreach support at local job centres, food banks, and a community café, helping to reach people who may otherwise slip through the net.
With the LawWorks awards now in their 18th year, they recognise and celebrate the best legal pro bono activities undertaken by organisations and individuals. LawWorks is a charity that connects volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice.
Launched in October 2019, the ‘Hertfordshire Law Clinic’, as the University’s law clinic is known, provides free legal advice to members of the public and University of Hertfordshire staff and students. Under the supervision of qualified lawyers, Herts’ student advisers provide advice to the public. This service helps law students build on their experience and skills needed to practise as lawyers.
The clinic provides advice and assistance on issues including family law, employment law, intellectual property and commercial law, consumer and civil disputes, and housing law.
Diana Kirsch, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Director of Pro Bono at Hertfordshire Law School, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in two categories at the LawWorks awards. We are delighted that our students’ hard work on the Justice Bus Project has been recognised. They would be deserving winners. We are also keeping our fingers crossed for Jekaterina, who is a mature student studying on the LLB part time.”
Opened in 2011, the £10m Law Court Building is home to the Hertfordshire Law Clinic. In 2021, the building was renamed the Grace Ononiwu Law Court Building, in honour of Grace Ononiwu, Herts’ alumna and first Afro-Caribbean person to serve as the UK’s chief crown prosecutor.
A ceremony to announce the winners of the LawWorks awards will be held on Thursday 9 May at the House of Lords.
Find out more about the Hertfordshire Law Clinic.
