News
Friday 16 June 2006
Attorney General visits university to mark National Pro Bono Week
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith delivered an inaugural lecture at Nottingham Trent University to mark the fifth National Pro Bono Week and the launch of ‘askrobinhood’, a free legal helpline for the local community.
The prestigious annual lecture has been established by the university’s Nottingham Law School and the University of Nottingham to confirm their commitment to legal pro bono work - the scheme involves law students undertaking voluntary work for a wide range of local organisations. Lord Goldsmith was invited as the driver of the government’s support for legal pro bono work, and as the most high-profile advocate in the media and legal community.
The ‘askrobinhood’ advice line is the first joint pro bono initiative between the two law schools and a local law society. The helpline will be staffed by students from Nottingham Law School and the University of Nottingham, who will work with experienced lawyers and with the support of Nottinghamshire Law Society.
In his lecture, Lord Goldsmith emphasised that pro bono work was an integral part of being a lawyer, and that the ‘askrobinhood’ advice line will play an important part in developing young lawyers’ commitment to it.
He said: “I warmly welcome this initiative, it is another example of the way that Nottingham has been in the vanguard of legal development, particularly on the education side.”
Nick Johnson, co-ordinator of the pro-bono activity at Nottingham Law School, said: “It was an honour to host Lord Goldsmith and we are delighted that he chose to come to Nottingham Law School to recognise the work that has been undertaken here. The message that pro bono is an integral part of being a lawyer is very much in line with our aim to make pro bono work a significant part of the law school’s provision.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk
Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774 or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk
