Ulster University has been awarded a grant of £12,000 from The Allen & Overy Foundation which will fund two LLM Justice scholarships, enabling students to provide pro bono legal support to individuals who cannot afford legal services or do not qualify for legal aid.
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support from The Allen & Overy Foundation; “Since 2015 the Allen & Overy Access to Justice Scholarships have enabled over 20 students to reduce other paid work to dedicate more time to develop their practice in the Ulster Law Clinic and Social Justice Hub advising and representing clients, helping negotiate settlements, assisting with appeals, delivering free training to community groups to enable them to provide information to service users, and also mentoring Undergraduate students who provide family law support.
“This ongoing support constitutes a powerful recognition that the training of graduate law students in social justice is important and worthwhile. We are immensely grateful to the Allen & Overy Foundation for driving positive social change, enabling a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of talent in Northern Ireland, and purposefully building sustainable futures for all.”
The Allen & Overy Foundation, which funds various social impact initiatives, including access to justice, education, and employment projects has awarded a total of £88,479 grants to thirteen charities across Northern Ireland this year, including Ulster University, to support their work, make a positive impact at a grassroots level and foster a fair and equitable society.
Simon Wagstaff, Associate Director, Technology Services at A&O Belfast, and Chair of the Belfast Grants Committee, comments on the latest funding allocations: “The successful charities all have a passion for delivering projects in the fields of justice, education, and employment. These areas reflect our core values as a business, and we recognise the importance of providing vital funding to those who need it most across the community and charity sector.
“As well as offering financial assistance to the charities, we will be working with them to identify reciprocal volunteering and pro bono opportunities for our 700+ employees in Belfast. This is an important aspect of our commitment and continued investment as a responsible business."
More information on the successful charities awarded funding by The Allen & Overy Foundation is here: News - Allen & Overy (allenovery.com)