Request for Remote/Out of Hours Assistance

Request for Remote/Out of Hours Assistance

Message from the Bar Pro Bono Unit - charity providing free legal representation and advice:

We are looking for a number of volunteers to help with updating our contact information, essentially finding email addresses, specialisms, year of call etc and some other details for our... records. I will provide a full instruction sheet and links to assist you with this. The majority of this will be finding information available on the internet and inputting it into an excel spreadsheet which you will be provided with.

It is vital for us to have up to date and comprehensive records and we would be so grateful for your support in this way. We really need to have this done correctly and as we ask so please be prepared to follow our requests carefully!

If you are interested and would be happy to accurately find and record information for us, please email Mr Sumit Bhogal [sumit@barprobono.org.uk] with your CV.

Law students to coach Year 8 - 9 students for mooting competition

The LSE Volunteer Centre is seeking 2 - 4 law students to lead a new project within a secondary school in Angel. The project will involve developing and running an afterschool or lunchtime weekly mooting club for year 8 and 9 students (age 12 - 14). Further details can be found in the attachments.

http://bit.ly/fMRbL1

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_AguVytyUOxMDhhODk1YzktZWFmYi00Y2Q1LTlmZTItZGM5YTBlNjM3OGFm&hl=en&authkey=CKHl9psB


e-mail interest to: volunteer@lse.ac.uk by January 15th

Opportunities with Independent Academic Research Studies

The Independent Academic Research Studies needs volunteers to help with its various projects relating to (youth) criminal justice:

http://lawworks.org.uk/temp_downloads/k25j47p107y4s122l99s88m136e18a22d120h120j66z148o7/IARS_-_Current_Internships_september_2010.pdf

http://www.iars.org.uk/content/becoming-iars-intern

Opportunities with Community Links

On-going opportunities with Community Links:

Administrative Support Volunteer
Trainee Volunteer Paralegal Volunteer
Trainee Appeals Representative

http://www.community-links.org/get-involved/volunteering-with-the-advice-team/

Volunteering in Criminal Justice

'Volunteering in criminal justice: Improving student prospects’ is a one-off event that will allow students to find out about volunteering opportunities within around 20 organisations in London whose work makes the capital safer. Whether you are interested in becoming a Metropolitan Police Special, supporting witnesses by volunteering for the Witness Service, being a mentor to prison inmates, or even sitting on the magistrates’ bench, the event will showcase a wide range of opportunities that are fulfilling and will also look great on your CV.


Organisations attending include:
- Catch22
- Crimestoppers
- CRI Volunteering London
- Foundation training company
- Greenwich Youth Offending Team
- Independent Custody Visitors
- Greenwich Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit
- Magistrates' Association
- Met Volunteer Programme
- Police Cadets
- Police Specials
- Prison Advice and Care Trust
- Rathbone
- Safer London Foundation
- SOVA
- St Giles
- Victim Support / Witness Service


This event is organised as part of London Student Volunteering Fortnight (LSVF) 2010 and is supported by the Mayor of London. Visit http://cjsroadshow.eventbrite.com/ for more information.

RARE OPPORTUNITIES: Weekly Internships with Bar Pro Bono Unit and LawWorks

New volunteering opportunities at the Bar Pro Bono Unit and LawWorks:

Commitment of one day a week (potentially one day every other week) from the end of October 2010 for a period of at least 6 months.

These are three distinct roles and you may apply for more than one so please look at each role description and specify on your form which position(s) you wish to be considered for.

Bar Pro Bono Unit Casework Intern – specification here

LawWorks Individuals Casework Intern – specification here

LawWorks Mediation Project Intern – specification here

All applications must be made on the application form that can be found here.

No applications by CV and covering letter will be accepted.

Please note that the deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 10^th October. You will be contacted shortly afterwards, you may be invited to meet staff from the organisations or to chat over the phone about the role and see if the post is a good fit.

The organisations will not be able to offer any travel or lunch expenses for these roles due to overstretched finances.

Should you have any questions please contact Ms Natalia Rymaszewska via natalia@barprobono.org.uk

Law Centre Reception and Administration Assistant Volunteers Wanted

Croydon and Sutton Law Centre is seeking Law Centre Reception and Administration Assistant Volunteers. Applicants should note that the Law Centre (79 Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1JG) is 1 hour-1.5hours from central London (Zone 1):

Croydon and Sutton Law Centre exist to reduce poverty and promote education by helping people to understand and enforce their legal rights.

They are currently seeking reception/administration volunteers to work in our front office. By volunteering, you will help keep our services running smoothly and make a valuable contribution to the support they are able to offer members of the local communities.

They are a small, friendly office and endeavour to provide ongoing training and support to their volunteers. This role is suitable for somebody with some office experience and a willingness to learn and is a great opportunity for somebody wishing to gain experience within a law centre environment.

You will be a friendly-face to meet and greet clients and have an excellent telephone manner. The role will involve managing incoming calls and taking accurate messages, handling enquiries on the telephone and in person and booking appointments amongst other administrative duties.

Importantly, due to the time and resources invested in our volunteers, they are looking for people who can who can make a minimum commitment of one full day per week for at least six months.

For more information, please contact Laura Turner on lauraturner.swllc@yahoo.co.uk or 020 8767 2777.

Law Clinics Survey Volunteering Opportunities

Law Clinics Survey Volunteering Opportunities

LawWorks is in the process of conducting a survey of clients at all our member free legal advice clinics in order to gain a snapshot of the client activity across the country. This will enable us to keep track of what legal issues are being faced in different parts of the country, understand where we can improve delivery and become more aware of who is currently being assisted.

Due to the limited resources at many clinics some will need assistance from volunteers who will be on hand to help clients complete the Survey. We will be dealing with this on a clinic by clinic basis and initially we are in need of 7 volunteers to attend clinics run by South West London Law Centres in the week commencing 21 June.

Volunteers will need to be free to attend the clinic once and to visit LawWorks offices one afternoon to find out more about the task. If you are interested in going along to a free legal advice clinic for one weekday evening to help with this process then please e-mail Sarah Cox sarah.cox@lawworks.org.uk

LawWorks Opportunities

LawWorks is recruiting for two part-time positions for next year. They are both paid and the deadline is 5th July. It is an independent charity that aims to increase the delivery of free legal advice to individuals and community groups in need. It does this by supporting, promoting and encouraging a commitment to pro bono legal advice across the legal profession.

For full details of the application process, job description and more details about the charity, please visit our website http://lawworks.org.uk/?id=jobs

Project Officer - Choices and ALLIES Projects

Salary: NJC point 23 (£23,497 inc ILW)
Hours: 24 hours per week

We require a Project Officer for the Choices and ALLIES (A Local Lawyer in Every School) Projects. The post holder will administer the matching of pro bono opportunities with solicitors who are not currently employed through the Choices Project. LawWorks Choices has developed the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, which volunteers are eligible for once they have completed 40 hours of pro bono work. The scheme enables volunteers to obtain a guaranteed interview with a LawWorks member firm when a position is available for which they are qualified. The post holder will liaise with law firms in relation to this scheme. The role will also involve providing administrative support to the ALLIES project which encourages lawyers to become school governors. You will be an excellent communicator, highly organised and ideally have some knowledge of the legal profession and/or the third sector.

Closing date: 5 July 2010 Interviews: 13-15 July 2010

Training Officer

Salary: NJC point 23 (£23,497 inc. ILW) pro rata
Hours: 21 per week split over at least 4 days per week.

We currently have a vacancy for the position of Training Officer. This person is responsible for organising LawWorks’ CPD accredited training programme for legal advice clinic volunteers as well as practical advice talks for community groups. You will be responsible for booking the trainers and venues as well as dealing with all the attendees using a web-based booking system.

Closing date: 5 July 2010 Interviews: 13-15 July 2010

Bursaries for Internships and Summer Opportunity at Fair Trial International

The Human Rights Lawyers Association offers bursaries up to £1000 for around 5 applicants each year to help law students through unpaid volunteering roles and internships related to human rights issues. The deadline for application for bursaries this year is 2nd May. Please see their website for more information: http://www.hrla.org.uk/Bursary.php

Summer legal internship opportunity for Fair Trial International, an organisation providing legal assistance for those being tried in a country other than their own. The unpaid internship will be for a minimum of three months with 35 hours/ week. The role involves general secretarial work as well as legal research and will start in either May or July at a date specified by the applicant. For more information: http://www.fairtrials.net/about_us/opportunities_to_work_with_us/

Volunteers needed to build a library catalogue

The Zacchaeus 2000 Trust are looking for 1-2 volunteers who can start on 8th or 9th April 2010 to enter data into their library catalogue. They aim to complete the cataloguing within 3 – 4 working days.

Who is The Zacchaeus 2000 Trust?

The Zacchaeus 2000 Trust is a charity that works to support those in extreme poverty to negotiate the justice system. Their vision is justice for the vulnerable debtors: everyone has the right to help/representation in court.

They take on individual cases of vulnerable people who are faced with harsh enforcement of council tax, rent, fines and tax credit overpayments.

They also lobby Parliament and pursue test cases through the courts when the law or the benefits system is unfair.

Please visit their website www.z2k.org for more information on the work they do. There is also an article in the Times about what they do: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6194133.ece


Role:

Their charity has many research materials, articles, documents with regards to issues such as poverty, minimum incomes, housing, bailiffs, council tax, benefits etc.

They need to build a library so that these documents can be easily found when needed.

Volunteers are sought on a one – off basis to help with cataloging these materials.

They are looking for someone who is interested in poverty issues in London, and have great organisational skills.

Where?

Their office at 34 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH (less than 5 minutes from Victoria station)

This is a good opportunity for those who are interested in poverty issues to know about research that has been carried in this area and for those with great organisational skills to find satisfaction in the creation of a library catalogue.


If you are interested in applying please send your CV and a cover email explaining why you would be suitable for this role to Lilian at admin@z2k.org

Ad Hoc Volunteers needed for Bar Pro Bono

The Bar Pro Bono Unit are looking for three to four volunteers on 8,9 and 12 April to attend their London office (in High Holborn) and help them to send out their annual review to their panel members, reviewers, management committee, donors, members of the senior judiciary and more.

You will be inserting letters and annual reviews into envelopes and sorting these to be taken to the DX exchange.

If you finish earlier than expected there may be some tasks involving updating our contact database.


They are looking for volunteers for:

* Thursday 8th April 9.30 - 16.00 (with an hour for lunch and tea breaks)

* Friday 9th April 9.30 - 16.00 (with an hour for lunch and tea breaks)

* Monday 12th April 9.30 - 16.00 (with an hour for lunch and tea breaks)


Please only apply if you

i. Are good at following instructions

ii. Take pride in your work

iii. Can concentrate on repetitive tasks!


To apply please email Ms. Natalia Rymaszewska, natalia@barprobono.org.uk , of the Bar Pro Bono to express your interest and specifying the day (s) you can do. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Please do only email if you can definitely commit to coming in for a full day as they will be relying on your help to plan and make everything happen on time!

Their office is at:
289-293 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7HZ

Forum: Thirteen years of Labour and Human Rights

Human Rights Unit and BPP Amnesty present:

Thirteen years of Labour and Human Rights

Tuesday, 23rd March at 6 pm

Location: BPP Holborn, Lecture Theatre, 68-70 Red Lion Street

Followed by a FREE drinks reception

In 1997, Labour promised to 'bring rights home'. Have they? This forum will discuss Labour's human rights record thus far, what mistakes have been made, what successes can be celebrated and what we have to look forward to from each party should they win the election.

Speakers:

TOM PORTEOUS (Chair): Director of Human Rights Watch, London

Since joining Human Rights Watch in October 2006, Tom has become a prominent voice for the protection and promotion of human rights in policy discussions in the UK and in the UK media. He oversees the full range of HRW issues, and has focused in particular on UK counter-terrorism policies at home and abroad, and on UK policy in Africa. Before joining Human Rights Watch, Tom had 25 years of experience working in journalism, conflict management and diplomacy in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

VERA BAIRD QC MP: Solicitor-General, Labour

In 2006 Ms Baird was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Her responsibilities included reform of the legal aid system, which underwent huge changes with a view to containing costs whilst ensuring access to justice for those who need financial assistance. She was the minister responsible for equalities, civil justice, social exclusion and women and sentencing. Prior to joining the government she was a criminal defence barrister at Tooks and was involved in key civil liberties and landmark cases involving battered women who kill.

DOMINIC GRIEVE QC MP: Shadow Justice Secretary, Conservative

A Queen's Counsel at 1 Temple Gardens, Dominic was elected to the House of Commons in 1997. In September 2001 he was appointed Conservative spokesperson for criminal justice and community cohesion as part of the Shadow Home Affairs team. From 2003 to 2008 Dominic was Shadow Attorney-General after which was appointed to Shadow Home Secretary. In January 2009 he became the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, continuing his frontbench role in criminal justice matters, constitutional affairs and ethnic diversity.

BARONESS FALKNER: Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home and Foreign Affairs

Prior to being made a life peer in 2004, Baroness Falkner worked in several posts for the Lib Dems in the House of Commons and the party headquarters. In 2005 she became the first Muslim to be promoted to the front bench in UK parliamentary history, as a spokesperson on Communities and Local Government. Baroness Falkner's other parliamentary activities have included serving on committees scrutinising Human Rights, European Union Foreign Affairs, International Development and Defense and Legal Services. She also speaks on international terrorism and was a member of the Prime Minister's Taskforce on Muslim Extremism in 2005.

If you are interested in attending please RSVP to humanrights@bpplaw.co.uk.

LawWorks Political Debate on Legal Aid

LawWorks has organised a pre-election panel debate consisting of representatives from the three main political parties, allowing us to gauge the future for legal aid post election. The debate will be held on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 from 6pm to 9pm at Norton Rose LLP, 3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AQ. For the complete details of the event, please click here.

All replies should be sent to Ms. Anne Monk (anne.monk@lawworks.org.uk).

Internship Vacancy at The Howard League for Penal Reform

The Howard League for Penal Reform has an internship vacancy for a volunteer who is able to spend time with them on Thursday and Fridays for a minimum of three months. The intern will provide support within the policy and public affairs team, primarily with the research and development of a number of new projects. As part of the programme, training and development opportunities will be provided. All the details are held here. Please note the deadline for application is 29 March 2010.

Bar Pro Bono Unit - New Volunteering Opportunities

These are all for different time periods and with slightly different roles so please look carefully at all the options available on our website.

Positions available:

Pro Bono Casework Interns - available mid April – end of June (one day a week)

Online Media and Fundraising Intern - 2 x 3 week blocks in July/August (4 days a week)

Pro Bono Casework Intern - 2 x 4 week blocks in July/August (4 days a week)

Bar in the Community Intern - 2 x 3 week blocks in July/August (4 days a week)

Please see our website at http://www.barprobono.org.uk/index.php?cID=375 for all the specifications which include the dates for each role and the relevant application forms. Applications by CV will not be accepted. Please note that the deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 28th March. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for a meeting at the officer or for a chat over the phone about the role.

Travel or lunch expenses for these roles will not be reimbursed. Should you have any questions please do contact Ms. Natalia at natalia@barprobono.org.uk

Request for Ad Hoc Volunteers - Bar Pro Bono Unit

Two volunteers needed to help with updating the organisation's contact database for distributing the Annual Review. This involves checking and inputting data into the database (brief training will be given on this). Period of volunteering is 9.30 – 16.30 (with an hour for lunch and tea breaks) on March 2010.

Please only apply if you

• Are good at following instructions
• Have excellent attention to detail
• Take pride in your work
• Can concentrate on repetitive tasks

To apply please send a copy of your CV to natalia@barprobono.org.uk

Volunteers Needed for Newham Monitoring Project

NMP is an independent community-based anti-racist organisation, set up in 1980. They are based in the east London borough of Newham in England. NMP works with members of the black community suffering racial discrimination / violence, police misconduct and civil rights issues. They monitor the response of statutory organisations - such as the police, the council and housing services - to the black community, in order to advocate for fair treatment and access to justice where this is not being met.

Their services include:

• A casework service providing advice, support, advocacy and access to specialist legal assistance for individuals and families
• A free 24-hour emergency helpline for members of the black community in east London facing racial attacks or policing issues
• Community outreach and educational projects such as know-your-rights workshops in relation to police 'Stop and Search' powers
• Campaign work around issues arising from our cases and/or pertinent to the black community, such as the impact of anti-terrorism policing measures.

Volunteers are sought to attend NMP’s next Emergency Service training session to then become volunteers for the 24 hour emergency helpline. This is done remotely through a service that allows your number to be connected to the main line that individuals can call and seek advice. You are asked to commit to covering one or two shifts a month from your own home. You are provided with a handbook covering many of the issues of law and procedure that may crop up. These will be discussed and covered in this training.

The training session will deal with a variety of scenarios that volunteers may encounter whilst covering the service and, therefore, is extremely important for new/existing volunteers. Volunteers will also learn how to deal with difficult situations such as racial harassment and policing issues more effectively.

Time: 10am to 4pm

Date: Saturday 13th March 2010

Venue: Harold Road Centre, 170 Harold Road, Upton Park, London E13 0SE.

Apply for a summer research internship with JUSTICE

The scheme will run from June to September 2010 and interns should be able to commit to at least one month of working four days a week in our London office. For more details and how to apply click here. The deadline for applications is Friday 7 May 2010. Please note that interns undertake in-depth legal research in a particular area of JUSTICE's work. For this reason only applications from law graduates will be accepted. This includes people who expect to have completed a law degree or conversion course by the time they start their internship.

JUSTICE - Human Rights and Criminal Justice Conference

JUSTICE Student Human Rights Network will be holding the third annual conference on Saturday 27 March 2010 from 10am - 5pm at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London, EC4Y 1HT.

This conference for law students, trainee solicitors and pupil barristers will discuss topical issues in the human rights and criminal justice field. Speakers include Andrew Hall QC of Doughty Street Chambers - widely regarded as a leader in his field of crime with a strong emphasis on civil liberties - and Dan Carey, a solicitor at Public Interest Lawyers and winner of the Peter Duffy Award at the Liberty/JUSTICE Human Rights Awards ceremony 2009.

Tickets for the conference will be £10 (£5 for JUSTICE members). For further information please email jshrn@justice.org.uk

The Access to Justice Foundation Student Competition

The Access to Justice Foundation is a cross-profession initiative involving the three branches of the legal profession, together with the voluntary sector. It acts in the public interest to bring additional resources to support free (pro bono) legal help to those in need. The Foundation and LawWorks are now inviting law students to enter their competition by submitting an article between 500 and 1000 words entitled: “Pro Bono Costs Orders: levelling the playing field?”

The article should be aimed at the legal profession, as the winning entry will be published. In addition to discussing the extent that Pro Bono Costs level the playing field for pro bono assisted parties, the writer may wish to comment on the role of pro bono legal help, and the importance of the Foundation in bringing additional funding.

The winner will receive the inaugural The Access Justice Foundation Student Prize, which will be presented by HM Attorney General at the student awards at the House of Lords. They will also receive £300 of book vouchers kindly donated by LexisNexis to be spent on books from their range.

Please submit your article in Word or PDF format to competition@atjf.org.uk by the deadline of 9am, 1st March 2010. Undergraduate and postgraduate law students may apply, including LPC and BVC students. The competition will be judged by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation chaired by former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith QC.

if you have any further queries please direct them to competition@atjf.org.uk. For more information about The Access to Justice Foundation and Pro Bono Costs visit www.accesstojusticefoundation.org.uk

Amicus Death Penalty Trial Event on the 2nd March (Lord Woolf presiding)

The event is a mock trial in which the penalty itself is to be indicted for perverting the course of justice. The trial will be presided over by Lord Woolf and Geoffrey Robertson QC, and advocated by 6 King's Bench Walk. Challenging issues such as innocence, racial disparity and deterrence, will be considered through examination of leading experts in the field. The calibre of the witnesses on both sides attests to our intention to present a serious and considered examination of the issues surrounding the death penalty. For more information on the event, please click here.

£1000 Grant available for Innovative Community Project

Are you interested in setting up a small project, piece of research or other innovative partnership with a local community organisation? Well here is your chance to win a grant of £1000 to start or further a partnership with a community organisation in London! The Award is given out by the Campus Community Partnership Foundation. The deadline for applications is 1st March. Further information on how to apply and the rules and guidelines can be found here: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/CareersAndVacancies/volunteerCentre/InfoForCurrentStudents/CampusCommunityPartnershipFoundation/Home.aspx

Pro bono opportunities at The Prisoners' Advice Service

This charity provides legal advice and information to prisoners' about their rights, particularly the application of the Prison Rules and conditions of imprisonment.

The opportunity has arisen to volunteer at the PAS- usually the commitment is one day a week for 3 months, with an allowance for lunch. The work would be broad ranging, and might cover assisting with research, drafting and ongoing cases. This is an excellent opportunity for LLB and LLM students, particularly for those interested in criminal law and human rights. Further details about how to apply are available from the charity. To access the organisation's website, please click here. For more information, please contact Matt Evans at matthew.evans@prisonersadvice.org.uk.

Facebook Group: Student Pro Bono

To get some regular information and keep up to date with Pro Bono-related awards and events, do join the Student Pro Bono Facebook group. It is a fantastic way in getting to know those with a similar passion for Pro Bono as well. To join the group, you can either search in Facebook for “student pro bono” or alternatively, if you’re already logged in, click here.

Vacancy at the Asylum Support Appeals Project

Vacancy at the Asylum Support Appeals Project ASAP is a charity that assists otherwise unrepresented asylum seekers at the Asylum Support Tribunal where they appeal the decision to stop their welfare benefits. The charity is now looking for a new volunteer office assistant. Candidates are required to commit 1-3 days a week on a regular basis. The deadline for applications is Friday 19 February at 4pm. More information can be found here.

The Howard League for Penal Reform Essay Competition

The Howard League for Penal Reform has set up an essay competition for students with the title, "Why Prisons Don't Work". The judge is Eric Allison, the prisons correspondent for The Guardian and the deadline is 30 April 2010. All the details can be found on their website here.