Lawyers To Help Students At De Montford University

De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester have enlisted the support of national law firm Irwin Mitchell to help law students in their pro bono work.

Pro bono is the term used to describe legal work that is undertaken voluntarily, often in the not for profit sector. It also assists people who can’t afford to pay for legal advice.

Many law firms take part in pro bono work and this year National Pro Bono Week takes place between 9-13 November.

Postgraduate students on the Legal Practice Course at DMU’s Leicester Institute of Legal Practice are encouraged to take part in pro bono activities alongside their studies and as part of this, law students run a free weekly Law Clinic for DMU staff and students, offering legal advice on a variety of issues.

This year the pro bono team from Irwin Mitchell will be on hand to guide and offer advice to the students running these clinics.   

Irwin Mitchell is one of the largest law firms in the UK and in 2007 won The Lawyer’s Law Firm of the Year award.

Deborah Evenden, Senior Lecturer at the Leicester Institute of Legal Practice at DMU and supervisor of the Law Clinic, said: “We are very pleased that Irwin Mitchell has agreed to support our students in this very important work. 

“Taking part in pro bono activities is a great way for the students to gain some of the core legal skills needed to work in the sector and this year they will be learning from people who are dealing with pro bono cases everyday.

“The Law Clinic was runner up in the Law Society Pro Bono Awards 2008 so this partnership is further evidence of our development and commitment to pro bono work.”

Neil Whiteley, Partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Pro bono clinics play a vital role in meeting the needs of the community and in improving access to legal help.

“The Law Clinic at De Montfort University provides an excellent service for their staff and students and we are delighted to be able to support the service.

“It is fantastic to be able to take a proactive part in Pro Bono Week, working with De Montfort University and the next generation of lawyers coming from the University”.