A NEW scholarship that helps support access to justice in Northern Ireland has been awarded to three students at the Ulster University Law Clinic.
The first block of funding from the Allen & Overy Scholarship will cover the fees for Emma Hutchinson, Niall Byrne and Freddy Reilly, who are all enrolled in the Master of Laws (LLM) in Clinical Legal Education, with maintenance support also awarded to the latter.
In November, Allen & Overy (A&O) created the scholarship with Ulster University to help students meet tuition costs and engage more fully in efforts to address unmet access to justice needs in the region. Working under the supervision of Ulster University Law School staff, students at the Law Clinic give free legal advice and representation to the public on a range of complex issues in social security and employment law, including whistle-blowing, constructive dismissal and social security benefits.
Praising the successful students, partner and head of A&O’s Legal Services Centre in Belfast, Jane Townsend, said: “Our congratulations go to Emma, Niall and Freddy.
“Their dedication and passion for social justice is outstanding and collectively they have set a very high standard for future scholars to follow.
“I have every confidence they will make a positive difference in the lives of people who may otherwise be denied justice and will build foundations for successful careers in the legal profession.
“Encouraging young, promising talent and improving access to justice are important to us across our law firm and we will follow our scholars’ progress with interest.”
Dr Grainne McKeever, director of Ulster University’s Law Clinic, said: “Ulster University is proud of the high calibre of graduates who pass through our Law Clinic each year, so we were delighted when Allen & Overy established their scholarship to support and recognise the next generation of social justice lawyers.”
Ulster University’s LLM Clinical Legal Education Programme is the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom and combines award-winning teaching with Ulster University’s world leading research in law, to provide students with practical experience of handling legal cases.
Applications for the next intake to the LLM in Clinical Legal Education will open in the summer and candidates enrolled on the course will be invited to apply for the scholarship. The Allen & Overy Scholarship is funded through the firm’s Global Foundation, which makes donations to charitable causes around the world.