Strathclyde students wins top pro bono award

A law student at Strathclyde University who works with asylum seekers, vulnerable people and others as part of the law clinic has been given a prestigious award in London.

Fergus Lawrie won the prize for the “best contribution by an individual student” in the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2016.

The judges said: “The impact of Fergus’ pro bono commitment is wide-ranging and the beneficiaries include school-age children in Glasgow, vulnerable clients seeking legal advice, new volunteers in pro bono law clinics, individuals seeking to set up their own small businesses or charities, and individuals requiring legal advice and representation, including asylum seekers.”

Fergus has been a student adviser in the law clinic since 2013. For the academic year 2015-16 he is a “firm-co-ordinator” which involves overseeing the work of 37 student advisors, including doing monthly reviews to monitor the progress of cases.

In 2015 the law clinic launched an exchange programme with the University of Miami Health Rights Law Clinic. The programme required students to complete a research project on areas of pro bono law work. Fergus participated in the programme and was also responsible for organising the accommodation, entertainment and exchange activities for the return trip to Glasgow of the Miami students. Along with his Miami partner, Fergus developed a new form of training using “forum theatre” as a way to provide engaging and interactive training.

Jeremy Wright QC, the Attorney General, presented the awards.