From L: Ryan Whelan, Anna Robertson, Dame Angiolini QC, Jodie Chandler and Malcolm Combe
The Aberdeen Law Project is delighted to announce its support of a new national forum which will encourage communication, collaboration and information exchange amongst existing clinics whilst supporting the establishment of new law clinics.
The Scottish Universities Law Clinic Network (SULCN), which was formally launched with an address by former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini QC, is an initiative co-founded by Ryan Whelan, who established The Aberdeen Law Project, Hannah Cosgrove, Student Director at The University of Strathclyde Law Clinic and Eamon Keane, co-founder of Dundee University’s Law Clinic.
Anna Robertson, Deputy Student Director of The Aberdeen Law Project, has welcomed the formation of the Scottish University Law Clinic Network. She said:
“I am delighted that Ryan, Hannah and Eamon have formed this Network. It is a fantastic opportunity for all of the clinics in Scotland to share experiences, assist one another and progress together to the benefit of our clients. We are all working towards the same goal, a legal system accessible to all. The unity and wealth of shared experience which SULCN will lend to the clinics of Scotland will undoubtedly be invaluable and The Aberdeen Law Project look forward to actively participating in this exciting new Network.”
Professor Donald Nicolson OBE, Director of The University of Strathclyde’s Law Clinic, is hugely enthusiastic of the initiative and its potential. He commented,
“It is gratifying to experience the launch of a network of five university law clinics and to know that it will do everything to encourage the establishment of new clinics and the expansion of existing clinics.
“Having been involved in three student law clinics, I do not think it is possible to overestimate the enthusiasm, drive and commitment of law students to helping those less privileged than themselves.
“I am thrilled that an organisation exists which will help ensure that we harness the potential that they offer to make a significant contribution to ending unmet legal need in Scotland and I look forward to SULCN becoming a major player in the access to justice world.”
As an organisation, SULCN will seek to bring together law students from all of Scotland’s Universities so that they may collaborate and work together in strengthening pro bono legal provision and access to justice across the country.
Since its inception, SULCN has gained the support of all of Scotland’s current law clinics, namely those at the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Strathclyde and West of Scotland.