The Aberdeen Law Project held its Annual Lecture on 14 April 2022 at the University of Aberdeen’s King’s College with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC as guest speaker.

The event, which was delivered both in-person and online, marked the Project’s 13th anniversary. It was widely attended and provided an opportunity to talk more about access to justice, pro bono and what the Project is doing to help communities in the North East.

The Lord Advocate’s address touched on how pro bono work has helped change the law, what a meaningful difference it can make and how no one should be discouraged from doing pro bono work based on their background or experience.

Chair of the Board, Anna Robertson, led a short ceremony after the Lord Advocate’s address at which sponsored awards were presented to volunteers who had made a particularly standout contribution over the past year. Attendees then moved to the James MacKay Hall to look around the Project’s exhibition of recent work and to hear more from its volunteers.

Anna Robertson, Chair of the Board, said: ‘’Speaking on behalf of the Board, I am thrilled that the Annual Lecture was an absolutely stellar event, having the Lord Advocate inspire current and future lawyers to continue to do pro bono and to take a chance resonated with the whole room and those linking in throughout the world.”

Helena Siebenrock, Student Director, said: ‘’I hope that today’s celebration of our success shows you that you are never ‘just a student’. You are someone that was not deterred by the lack of a title, qualification, or experience. You are someone actively trying to better the community and dedicate your time to increasing wide-reaching awareness to and access on the law. You are someone doing all this in spite of studying a law degree and often working an additional job. That is so much in itself.’’

Megan Humphries, Assistant Director, said: ‘’The Lord Advocate’s speech was inspiring. The words ‘it matters not where you come from but where you will go’ really stuck with me. It was such an encouragement to hear how we can all better the community using the law.’’

Award winners

Daniel McColgan Award – Ellie Baird

Ryan Whelan, Founder and Patron of the Aberdeen Law Project, personally sponsors this award, which takes its name from his late grandfather, Daniel McColgan. Ryan, like his grandfather before him, believes passionately that public service and community are of utmost importance. This award is therefore bestowed annually upon the student that has made the greatest individual contribution to the Aberdeen Law Project in the preceding twelve months.

Ellie Baird received the Daniel McColgan award for her outstanding contribution to building relationships with schools post-Covid.

Casus Omissus Rising Star Award – Antonia Andison

This award is presented to an individual in their 1st or 2nd year of law who has gone above and beyond their remit and who has shown exceptional drive, determination, and perseverance to help bridge the justice gap in our society.

Antonia Andison, who joined the Project only one year ago, received the Casus Omissus Rising Star Award for the contributions she has made to the Representation team including helping to secure a significant rent reduction for clients living in damp accommodation.

University of Aberdeen School of Law Excellence in Advocacy Award – Guilherme Carvalho

In honor of its close working relationship with The Aberdeen Law Project, the School of Law is delighted to sponsor this Award for Excellence in Advocacy. The student judged to have excelled most in representation during the last academic year will be recognised. Both case management and advocacy skills are assessed when selecting the recipient of this award.

Guilherme Carvalho received the University of Aberdeen School of Law Award for Excellence in Advocacy for his long-term commitment to ALP’s representation team since 2018.

Womble Bond Dickinson Award for Enterprise and Innovation – Zoë Baxter

Womble Bond Dickinson was shortlisted at the Legal Week Innovation Awards 2021 for the 'Future of Legal Services Innovation and Knowledge Management Innovation' category. This was in recognition of their adoption and use of e-signatures as a critical business tool during Covid-19. This award is bestowed upon the individual who has particularly stood out in their work showing inventive approaches to a changing environment.

Zoë Baxter received the Womble Bond Dickinson Award for Enterprise and Innovation for her inventive approaches to making schools’ workshops even more engaging for pupils.

CMS Award for Project of the Year – The Mock Trials Team

“Social background should not be a bar to opportunity.’’ CMS believe in an opportunity to contribute to the development of future generations. They help children develop their reading and numeracy skills, mentor older students and provide work experience. Social mobility requires action. CMS are proud to sponsor the exceptional work of the Aberdeen Law Project, particularly within their educational and community outreach projects.

The Mock Trials team received the CMS Award for Project of the Year for the particularly wide-reaching impact they have had in schools over the past year.

ALP is grateful for continuing financial support from the University of Aberdeen Development Trust.