The university is one of six institutions shortlisted in the category of best contribution by a team of students for its Street Law project, in the annual LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards. Final year law student Naomi Newell is also among eight finalists for best contribution by an individual student. The awards recognise outstanding contribution to pro bono work by law students and law schools, and the positive impact this has had on those they have helped.

The winners will be announced at a reception at the House of Commons on Monday, March 25, by the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC MP.

The shortlistings follow the recent launch of the UEA Law Clinic, which co-ordinates a wide range of pro bono activities and is a collaborative venture between law students, academic staff from the Law School, external agencies and members of the local legal profession.

Gareth Thomas, director of the Law Clinic, said: “This is the first occasion on which students from UEA have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards, and it is just reward for the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of all those involved in the work of the new Law Clinic.”

Naomi Newell began volunteering with Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) in her first year at UEA, being selected for and entrusted with the running of its Domestic Abuse Advice & Advocacy Service. She also has represented NCLS and the Law Clinic at external conferences and has encouraged her fellow students to get involved in pro bono activities. As a founder member of the Law Clinic management committee she has played an important role in the establishment of the initiative and the shaping of its activities. 

Naomi said: “I feel so honoured that UEA even nominated me for this award, and having been shortlisted is really a bonus! I had such a positive experience of getting involved in extra-curricular activities in my first year that I like to encourage others to try and do the same. I'm really pleased that student participation in all areas of simulated activity and pro bono work is still so strong and it is no wonder that UEA has been shortlisted in two categories for the awards. Hopefully we will be able to bring something home for other students to aspire to.”

Street Law works with local schools and community groups to educate people about their rights and responsibilities under the law and to illustrate how the legal process works. The students also organise events, such a law taster sessions, to pass on their knowledge and experience of higher education to encourage more people to consider furthering their education.

Andrea Harrod, a final year law student and current head of the Street Law team, said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for this important award. The main aim of UEA Street Law is to raise awareness of legal issues which affect young people and where appropriate to point them in the direction of advice networks, which we work closely with. We continue to work alongside local advice networks with a view to collaborating on new projects to expand Street Law’s reach even further into the community.”