Legal eagles raise hundreds of pounds for those who can’t afford legal advice

An event involving some of the best legal brains in the county has raised hundreds of pounds for Midlanders who can’t afford legal advice.

Law students and academics joined legal professionals from across Northamptonshire for the Great Legal Quiz, which was hosted by the University of Northampton’s Law department on Wednesday 9 November.

The event, which was sponsored by the University’s Faculty of Business and Law and law firm Shoosmiths, raised more than £400 for the Midland Legal Support Trust, which distributes funds to organisations that provide free legal advice for those who cannot afford it.

The quiz, which was held at Sunley Conference Centre, Park Campus, was held as part of National Pro Bono Week, which celebrates the provision of free legal advice.

“Legal aid cuts and the closure of charitable legal services in the UK means the demand for free legal advice is ever growing,” said event organiser Sophie Lomas, who is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University.

“For the poorest and the most vulnerable people, access to justice is out of reach – so free legal advice can make a huge difference to their lives.

“Supporting the Midland Legal Support Trust’s work is something the University, and the legal community in the county, is proud to do – every single penny counts.”

Teams taking part in the quiz included Shoosmiths, SP Law, Citizens Advice Bureau, Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council, The Northamptonshire Law Society, University Law tutors, Student Law Society and the Student Pro Bono Clinic team.

Winners of the quiz, which featured His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo as quizmaster, were Central and East Northamptonshire Citizens Advice Bureau who narrowly beat the University’s Law tutor team into second place.

The University’s Law department runs various pro bono initiatives throughout the year, with 30 students currently giving their time up to assist Shoosmiths with pro bono clinics, and around 15 undergraduates volunteering for Citizens Advice Bureau and Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council on a weekly basis.