Clinical Legal Education- what it can/cannot achieve?

Victoria Speed and Jessica AustenJoint Directors of Pro BonoBPP Pro Bono CentreBPP Law School

Conference theme

What is your measure of success?

Improve practical skills?

Help the general public?

Lifelong pro bono commitment?

Some of our motivations• To help the communities around us.• To educate our students of the benefits of

volunteering and the value of their skills to the public.

• To provide real life practical examples of how law affects people.

• To enhance our students’ confidence and skills and improve their chances of succeeding in their career.

• To reflect well on BPP.

Some thoughts from our students…

No 1

I undertake pro bono because offering a service for the good of others or for free is a

valuable aspect of society. It hopefully encourages others to offer their services

without remuneration, which is a positive development in the world of work.

No 2

It is important to me – it feels wrong to do nothing.

No 3

I work with victims and witnesses in court. To give time to the Innocence project was a way to redress the balance and try to help people

who have been victims of miscarriages of justice.

No 4

Pro bono work is quite similar to charity work. It keeps you grounded, enthusiastic and able to

communicate at all levels and able to work well in a team. It is also very rewarding.

Clinical legal education

what it can/cannot achieve?

Bar course students – why pro bono?

Although it was a compulsory part of my studies I am glad I got involved in pro bono. It

was worth the time and effort as it was extremely

rewarding.

Final thoughts