From L: Lindsay McCormick (Deputy Student Director), Caitlin Hurst (Student Director), the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, David Ridley (Senior Adviser) and Fraser Stewart (Senior Adviser).
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, QC, has become the newest Patron of The Aberdeen Law Project.
The Lord advocate is The Project's fifth Patron, joining Lord Hope of Craighead, Dame Hazel Genn, Lord Nicol Stephen and Mr Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management.
The Rt. Hon. Mulholland, a graduate of The University of Aberdeen's law school himself, accepted the invitation after giving the key note speech at The Project's sold-out Annual Lecture 2015, which took place on Friday 27 February earlier this year.
At the Annual Lecture, the Lord Advocate explored a wide-variety of issues under the theme 'Access to Justice', including the rights of victims, his work on cold cases and how technology is being used to improve the justice process in Scotland.
The Lord Advocate's decision to join The Aberdeen Law Project is the latest in a long line of successes for the student founded, led and operated law clinic. Founded in 2009, The Project has gone from strength to strength in educating, advising and representing the people of North East Scotland. Previously recognised by an award from the Attorney General in 2010, The Project was shortlisted as a finalist for the 2015 Scottish Legal Awards' Pro Bono prize.
Caitlin Hurst (Student Director) giving her introductory remarks at the Annual Lecture 2015.
Reflecting on The Rt. Hon. Mulholland's acceptance of patronage, Student Director Caitlin Hurst said,
"We are delighted to see the Lord Advocate endorse The Aberdeen Law Project. It is testament to the hard work of all the students involved that one of the law school's most accomplished graduates has decided to make time to support our work. We are very grateful to the Lord Advocate and look forward to his next visit to Aberdeen."
Malcolm Combe, a Lecturer at the School of Law and the Faculty Director of The Project, said,
"Once again the students have excelled and they can be proud of themselves.
"I would like to thank all the students involved with the Lecture, especially the Events Team led by Katherine Hood, but more generally I want to thank them for all the great work they do throughout the year."