Pro bono - Chester
Pro Bono at the Chester centre enables legal knowledge to be converted into real life situations through projects such as: Streetlaw, Your Day in Court, Crown Court Challenge, the Legal Advice Centre, the telephone employment helpline and domestic violence programmes. The Chester Pro Bono department primarily offers a service to the local community and the North West region.
Streetlaw
Streetlaw originated in America and is a programme whereby people are made more aware of their rights and responsibilities on a given legal topic. At Chester we have a Streetlaw programme that usually involves over 100 students and up to 20 different organisations annually. These include local high schools, community groups, centres for disadvantaged children, womens’ refuges and a young parents’ centre, amongst others.
We carry out a series of presentations which are interactive and visual, covering topics such as human rights, police powers, employment law and consumer rights.
Your Day In Court; incorporating Crown Court Challenge, Magistrates Trial and an Employment Tribunal
This Pro Bono activity incorporates three mock trials, the trials are as realistic as possible with real judges and magistrates, a local high school play the part of the jury.
Legal Advice Centre (LAC)
This is an opportunity for students to gain some experience in dealing with a ‘real’ case. The students interview a client and then follow up with a letter of advice. Thorough research is carried out and all work is checked and supervised by qualified lawyers.
Witness Support placements
Students can become involved in the Witness Support scheme, where they assist witnesses in court as they give evidence.
Telephone Employment Helpline
This service offers free legal advice to employees regarding specific employment issues. Members of the public (the client) phone up with an employment problem; students interview the client, carry out some legal research on the problem and then report back to the client, advising them of the best course of action.
Domestic violence programmes
Students who participate in this programme undertake a period of intensive training that enables them to go to court to support victims of domestic abuse. The training involves Police officers and role-play actors in a series of lectures and training sessions in client handling, interview techniques and Court processes.
Students become 'Mackenzie Friends' after the training, this means that although not entitled to address the court, a Mackenzie's Friend can sit alongside the victim in court, offering moral support and advice by passing notes, whispering messages and generally assisting the victim.
The rewards and experiences that students receive in helping with this programme are invaluable, both in terms of court experience and in their future legal career.
