Street Law wins European Association award

Street Law, an education programme for pupils at Scottish schools in disadvantaged areas, has taken home the title of “Best Training Initiative” at the prestigious European Association Awards.

The inaugural event which was held in Brussels on 24th February, recognised and rewarded exceptional achievements by organisations throughout Europe. Three members of the Law Society of Scotland’s education, training and qualification team watched with over 250 attendees, as winners were announced from over 60 finalists. BBC presenter, Mark Mardell hosted proceedings.

Heather McKendrick, head of careers and outreach at the Law Society of Scotland said: “Street Law is an amazing initiative which tackles problems around inequality of opportunity for young people in disadvantaged areas of Scotland.

“The programme is a long-term investment in young people in Scotland and a demonstration of the Law Society and our sponsorship partners’ commitment to diversity in the legal profession. Pinsent Masons, Ashurst and CMS Cameron McKenna have been unwavering in their support of Street Law and we couldn’t do the work we do without them.

“We are also hugely indebted to our enthusiastic law students and schools who work with us to deliver the programme. We are all very proud of Street Law and to have our work acknowledged by our association peers, is a real achievement.”

Street Law is delivered in a series of lively and interactive sessions. Law students receive training in how to develop and deliver lesson plans which help Scottish school pupils in disadvantaged areas to explore and understand how the law impacts on all strands of society, including themselves, their family and friends.

Based around real life scenarios, the content is easy to relate to and encourages pupils who might not otherwise have considered further studies or a career in law, to get involved.

Claire Wormsley, managing director of Global Conference Network (GCN), the award organisers, said “Today’s winners should be proud. Earning a European Excellence Award is a significant achievement, and reflects the exceptional efforts and outstanding results they have achieved in the association sector.”

Street Law was introduced by the society in 2014, after a Law Society review of diversity within the legal profession found that fewer than one in 12 entrants to the LLB came from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Originating at Georgetown University in 1972, Street Law was one of the recommended responses to the issue of fair and equal access to the profession.

The 2014 pilot invited LLB and Diploma students to work with pupils of eight schools in disadvantaged areas of Glasgow. In 2016, the Society delivered 30 Street Law programmes in 46 schools to over 1000 pupils across Scotland and there are plans for growth in 2017.