Chester Law School nominated for prestigious national legal award

The University’s Chester Community Law Project has recently been shortlisted for a significant national award, recognising its outstanding charity work.

This nomination highlights the school’s commitment to legal pro bono activities and their positive social impact.

Spearheaded by students, the Reach Out to Families project, conducted in partnership with the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, has been nominated for the Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership award.

The initiative involves student volunteers who diligently research and produce ‘your rights’ information sheets.

As of December 2023, these invaluable online resources have been downloaded over 38,000 times, offering crucial assistance to parents across the UK.

[Andrea Todd and Megan Cowan]

The nomination is part of the annual LawWorks Pro Bono Awards, a celebration dedicated to the best legal pro bono activities by organisations and individuals across the UK.

The ceremony was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed at the Law Society on Chancery Lane in London. The event honours the hard work and dedication of those involved in pro bono work, and Chester Law School’s team was thrilled to attend.

This latest accolade follows the group’s win in the category of ‘Best Contribution by a Team of Students’ at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards in May 2023.

The Chester Law School operates several community initiatives under the Chester Community Law Project.

These include the Employment Clinic, the Asylum and Immigration Project in partnership with Eastgate Chambers, and projects supporting domestic abuse survivors, business start-ups, and individuals needing legal assistance with housing matters.

Andrea Todd, Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement for Chester Law School, expressed pride in the students’ achievements.

“We are very proud that our students’ commitment to the Pregnant Then Screwed project has been given such high-profile recognition.

Being shortlisted alongside peers from across the legal sector undertaking groundbreaking social justice work is testament to the difference our students are making in the lives of parents across the UK,” she stated.