Northumbria pro bono clinic recoups more than £130,000 for clients

The student-run pro bono clinic at Northumbria University, Student Law Office (SLO), has secured more than £130,000 in compensation for its clients in 2013/14.

The SLO provides legal advice and representation to those who might not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer; currently, it has 294 open cases on record. Since 2005, the clinic has recouped more than £1 million for clients. The SLO was recognised at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards in 2014 with the Best Contribution by a Law School prize and has previously received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. Dominic Grieve QC MP, former attorney general, visited the clinic in July 2014 when he officially opened the new law centre.

Commenting on the SLO’s latest annual report and the compensation achieved on behalf of clients, Kevin Kerrigan, executive dean, said: "The figures revealed in the report are testament to the incredible hard work, dedication and expertise of our students in the SLO. We are extremely proud of the valuable contribution the SLO has made to individuals and businesses across the north east – the availability of this pro bono service has made a huge difference to many unable to afford a legal service."