The clinic was named the winner of the Pro Bono award, which it has earned through extensive work in offering free representation and advice to people who are unable to obtain legal help by other means.

In the past year alone, the clinic has dealt with more than 400 cases and its student volunteers dedicated 4171 hours to their casework.

Since its inception, the clinic, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has helped more than 4,000 people in more than 6,000 cases and has won or saved £2 million for its clients.

Law Clinic director Kate Laverty said: “The Law Clinic is delighted to have received this award. It recognises the incredible amount of work our volunteer students dedicate to their cases while juggling the many other demands on their time. They join the Clinic with a commitment to improve access to justice in their community and in doing so they face many challenges.

“We are so proud of their many achievements and to see them recognised in the legal community is a great boost for them and the Clinic as a whole. It also recognises the many pro bono hours our volunteer solicitors willingly give to advise those who would otherwise have no access to legal advice, which is all the more important at a time when legal aid is increasingly harder to access.”