kcl pro bono booklet
TRANSCRIPT
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2012-2013 Committee
Mitchell CockerSecretary and
Communications Officer
Yasmin YavariStreetlaw President
Rachel PhangPresident
Stephie HinksVice President
Mandy CheungLaw Mentoring President
Kristin BongHuman Rights President
Ray-shio HoOne on One Mentoring President
Nick McGreevySocial Secretary
Megan EarlyLegal Clinic President
Jun Yin TanOpportunity International
Shanker VarmaInnocence Project President
Eldon ChaniPro Bono President
Meng Chong HongTreasurer
Jessica DunkAmicus President
Firstly, congratulations and welcome on your admission to King’s! As for returning students, welcome back as we start the new academic term!
Having participated in KCL Pro Bono activities since my first year at King’s makes me very proud and honoured to be leading the society, one of the most diverse student volunteering societies in King’s. Throughout 2012/13 I would like to continue the success of KCL Pro Bono to encourage students to take an active role in imparting legal advice and information for the public good.
KCL Pro Bono derives its name from the Latin phrase, ‘pro bono publico’, meaning, ‘for the public good’. We support and promote legally-related volunteer work and education to the community, which enables otherwise unrepresented parties to present their cases efficiently and effectively.
Much can be gained from participating in pro bono work – not only will you find personal satisfaction in being able to help others, you will also acquire and hone skills that employers claim are vital in any CV!
Why? Pro bono work is a platform for students to apply their knowledge to help the wider community whilst gaining practical experience, which is an opportunity for students to develop ‘employability skills’. Further, pro bono work sends out positive signals about a person’s character, and, indicate greater visibility and broader understanding of issues beyond those found in textbooks.
As such, this is a welcome addition to any student’s CV whether you are an aspiring solicitor, barrister or have non-law related career aspirations. Nevertheless, if you are unsure of your career path, involvement with pro bono work provides you the opportunity to explore alternative career options and develop invaluable professional contacts.
We have achieved a great deal over the last 5 years – founded in 2007 with only two projects, KCL Pro Bono has since grown, and now offers eight different projects, ranging from assisting death-row inmates in the United States to mentoring sixth-form students in London to raising funds for the microfinance charity Opportunity International. What more? Last year, we were highly commended for the Best Contribution by a Team of Students at the LawWorks & Attorney General Pro Bono Awards, and shortlisted for two awards at the Annual KCLSU Awards.
So what are you waiting for? Now, read through this booklet, and consider the project(s) that you may want to be involved with!
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Rachel [email protected]
President’s Welcome
Vice President’s WelcomeI would like to welcome everyone to this new academic year at King’s College London. After the extremely generous gift of £20 million to the Law school, this year should be bigger and better than ever before!
We have a huge range of projects to choose from you could end up volunteering at schools, giving talks to members of the local community or assisting a international organisation. Participation is very flexible, so you can easily fit it around your busy and hectic schedules. Our membership is free, but the rewards are great. It is a wonderful feeling to know you have helped someone, and you may truly make a difference to
someone’s life. I was recently humbled when a 16 year old AS Law student told me she would never have got a C in one of her modules without my help. You will also be invited to all our social events, which include Welcome Drinks, notable speaker talks, and even a karaoke night! These are all a lot of fun and a great way to socialise and are often subsidised in cost.
KCL Pro Bono is a great way to meet new people, looks fantastic on your CV and will give you a chance to practically apply the law you learn from your lectures and textbook. At KCL Pro Bono we definitely believe in “the more the merrier” and we would love to have you involved.
Stephie HinksVice [email protected]
Note from the EditorFirstly, I would like to welcome all new students to King’s and thank you for taking the time to pick up a copy of our Fresher’s Booklet. I cannot begin to tell you how rewarding being part of the KCL Pro Bono Society is and I hope that after reading this booklet you will want to volunteer in one of our varied and hugely enjoyable projects.
I just want to thank the rest of the committee who were all so helpful and efficient with all my annoying requests for information, photographs and feedback. And apologies to anyone who does not like the picture I chose for them!
Happy reading and I hope to see you at Pro Bono events in the near future.
Mitchell CockerSecretary & Communications
StreetlawYasmin YavariStreetlaw [email protected]
Streetlaw is KCL Pro-Bono Society’s largest project and gives student volunteers at King’s the opportunity to participate in a project that educates members of the local community about the law. Volunteers work in groups to actively provide local people who would not otherwise have access to legal knowledge with a basic overview of the law. You will give presentations to many different target groups around London, including housing associations, youth groups and secondary schools and sixth-form colleges. And from this year we will be targeting volunteers who are not specifically studying a law degree.At the heart of the Streetlaw project is its dedicated team of volunteers. When you join the project, you are assigned to a Streetlaw group and in this group will be a group leader, who has been involved with the project for a few years who can help to advise your team.
Benefits• Addleshaw and Goddard a prestigious law firm works closely with us. • You don’t pay for anything. • Pro Bono work is necessary in any area of law, therefore it will look impressive on your CV. • You can become a group leader or potentially progress to being part of the committee in the following years. • Socials and events will be organised during term time for all members. Get to
know the 2nd and 3rd years, they’re useful contacts. This Year• We are planning presentations within the University for the benefit of current studies. Projects may be aimed at providing help and understanding of property law aspects which will help many to understand the main principles and laws related to property matters. • Streetlaw is an ever-growing project and we are always looking for new areas of the community to target. We have established a contact with the Metropolitan Police and are looking to work closely with them in upcoming projects. • Previously we have visited places such as probation hostels schools and the YMCA.
Law MentoringThe Law mentoring project aims to encourage the pursuit of a law degree for A-level and GCSE students and broaden students' career options.
You will get involved with the giving of school presentations, workshops and providing a support network for these students. For first year law students who had just started their law degree, exchanging emails will allow pupils to understand the difficulties as well as know of the joys of law.
Presentations are specifically tailored to the age group of the students to inform students about studying law at University. They are interactive in nature and encourage student participation through the opportunity to ask questions. These are supplemented by workshops which aim to help build confidence and develop personal skills of students through interaction with professions within the legal sector.
In the past year, we have given many presentations to different schools, and we also had our end-of-year workshop which was highly successful and complimented by many of the teachers. This year we aim to hold more workshops in order to expand our project and give both pupils and students an idea on what law in university is like.
For volunteers, Law mentoring is a highly rewarding project which not only benefits the community but also helps improve personal skills and looks great on your CV. Workshops which aim to help build confidence and develop personal skills of students through interaction with professions within the legal sector. It also provides the opportunity to share experiences with students who are seriously considering the possibility of studying the Law LLB. It is also a wonderful means of meeting other students and learning about the vast and diverse KCL student body.
If you’re interested in getting involved, come to the welcome fair, send us an email or look out for the Law Mentoring Introduction Presentation at the beginning of October.
Mandy CheungLaw Mentoring [email protected]
One-on-One Law Mentoring
One-on-One Law Mentoring found its roots in 2010 and hence is a relatively new project within the King’s College London Pro-Bono Society. This project aims to provide assistance to A Level students from our partnered Sixth Form schools. As mentors, we try to reach out to students to assist them with their university applications or academic difficulties. We are always looking to grow and expand our reach to a larger base of students.
The project has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Compared to the initial 12 volunteers, 2011/2012 saw an overwhelming response of 20 volunteers as well as new opportunities. Additionally, we have also built on our past relationship with Kingsbury High School, ensuring the continuance of our partnership.
Mentors will assist students from our partner Sixth Form schools as they complete their A-Level Law course and their UCAS applications. Each volunteer will be assigned to one to three students (subject to the project’s demands). Subsequently, volunteers will correspond with their mentees via emails and meetings to work out their requirements and needs. Meetings will be held on the participating schools’ campuses and the frequency of mentoring sessions wil l be subject to mutual arrangements between mentor and mentee. Mentors will advise their students on
any queries they have on law, help them with past papers, and be sources of general help and support.
This year, In accordance with our aim to mentor students, the project aims to branch out to assist students by providing a broader understanding to university and beyond. This would primarily be achieved through school visits. Asides the abovementioned, there are plans to pioneer a Mooting element within long running participating schools.
Should you be interested in getting involved and becoming a mentor do not hesitate to email me!
Ray-Shio HoOne-on-One Law Mentoring
Innocence ProjectThe Innocence Project is a new KCL ProBono project that we are working to establish this year. Linked to Innocence Network United Kingdom (INUK), the Innocence Project involves a group of students investigating the case of a convicted person maintaining innocence having exhausted the initial appeals process. Students work with a member of staff from KCL and a practising
lawyer to find evidence so that a case can be referred back to the appeal courts.
Innocence projects are neither defence nor prosecutorial oriented as they are geared towards truth seeking and testing the credibility of the claim of innocence. Innocence Projects require critical analysis of existing evidence and the use of new techniques to prove or disprove the claim of innocence from an alleged victim of a wrongful conviction.
How does the Innocence Project operate? Members in the Innocence Project will choose a suitable case from the central INUK casebank and INUK informs the 'client' that the case has been allocated to an Innocence Project. The Innocence Project then corresponds with the 'client' to seek clarification of issues relating to the case.
As an Innocence Project member you will be conducting investigations which may include preparing a full set of case documents, including evidence both used and unused at trial, prison visits to alleged innocent victims of wrongful conviction and interviews with witnesses. You may also be tasked with writing reports for solicitors and barristers, writing submissions to various legal bodies and meeting with forensic science experts.
Remember that each case, and therefore each Innocence Project, is unique and may operate differently.
Shanker VarmaInnocent Project President
Legal Clinic
Established in April 2010 as a joint initiative with City law firm Speechly Bircham, the Legal Clinic gives free legal advice to students at King’s College London. As there are approximately 22,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students spread across four campuses, the Legal Clinic provides advice on a broad range of complex issues, such as:• disputes resolution • contracts• entrepreneurial services (support for new business start-ups, including advice on funding, IP rights etc)• property (tenants and leases)• personal tax• consumer standards• employment
Eventually, the aim of the KCL Pro Bono Society and Speechly Bircham is to open the Legal Clinic to the public.All prospective cases are received by email and the KCL student (the ‘Client’) asks for an appointment. The Clinic Co-ordinator reviews the Client’s query and ensures they have all the relevant information. The query is then sent to Speechly Bircham to conduct a conflict check. If there are no problems, Speechly Bircham will confirm with the Clinic Co-Ordinator who the supervisor will be, when their interview timeslot will be etc.The Clinic Co-ordinator then emails the Client and sets an appointment time (currently on Wednesdays). An allocated Student Adviser conducts an interview, essentially a fact-finding exercise. If the case is practicable, further meetings are conducted. A Speechly Bircham supervisor is present at all times.As a Student Advisor, you will be given a ‘Legal Clinic’ handbook to aid you. You will be required to interview the Client, analyse the facts and conduct legal research on the case. There will also be Group Evaluation Meetings to assist you.If you want to be involved with the Legal Advice Project or require Legal Advice get in touch!
Megan EarlyLegal Clinic President
Human Rights ProjectThe KCL Pro Bono Human Rights Project provides students with the opportunity to join a research team, get published, spread awareness about rights-related issues, or simply to do voluntary work in London. Within the university, it aims to further enhance legal education and debate on topical human rights issues, and fosters links between potential volunteers and charities or non-governmental organizations. ‘Human rights’ in the 21st Century is an often used and sometimes abused term that covers everything, from the most basic rights to life and fair trial, to freedoms of speech and thought. Within the project, we believe in giving every student the chance to explore his or her area of interest. This means that it is the students who give the
project meaning and drive. The Human Rights Project is open to students of any discipline. Your expertise, whether in the law, writing, photography, or heartfelt volunteering is welcomed. Our newsletter, HumanWrites, is published with the help of student contributions. Our events which include career-oriented talks, panel discussions and performances during Human Rights Week, will not run without help and attendees. Our volunteer and internship schemes will
not operate without keen volunteers.In the past our activities have included:• Offering volunteering opportunities to our students for the Law Society’s International
Action Team and the Refugee Council,• Offering a summer internship opportunity exclusively for King’s students at Kids Co;• Organising talks by various human rights-related organisations, such as Human
Rights Watch, Kids Co and Advocates for International Development.• Publishing student-run newsletter HumanWrites and the HRP blog.
Kristin BongHuman Rights [email protected]
Amicus
Amicus is a small legal charity that aims to assist those facing capital punishment in the United States. Those behind Amicus believe that capital punishment is used disproportionately against the most vulnerable in our society. Most defendants come from poor backgrounds, and are simply unable to afford the massive legal bill that would accompany a properly prepared capital defence. It is a sad fact that those facing the most serious punishment of all are often in the hands of ill equipped and underpaid lawyers, and Amicus exists to help redress that imbalance.
Each year Amicus places 20-30 interns with firms in the US carrying out capital defence work. All interns undertake training provided by Amicus. This training offers a detailed introduction to the US criminal law, as well as guidance in dealing with clients on death row. Capital defence lawyers are usually highly overworked, meaning that Amicus interns are an invaluable source of support and assistance.
As a KCL Amicus volunteer you will assist and support the organisation, and this can be done in a number of ways, be it through fundraising or casework. For example, last year, KCL volunteers completed a yearbook for Amicus, which explained the use of the death penalty in different states, highlighting various issues such as race, poor legal representation and human rights concerns. This year, we aim to increase our role in fundraising, as well as raise the profile of Amicus at KCL.
One of the most valuable things you will do as a volunteer is to attend the Amicus training (over two weekends in October). Last year, 15 volunteers were sponsored by Pinsent Masons to partake in this training. In addition, you may then have the opportunity to complete an Amicus internship in the US. This internship is impressive to employers in the legal sector, notably in the areas of criminal and human rights law. Amicus also held an event in conjunction with our sponsors Pinsent Masons at their London office, providing volunteers with an excellent opportunity to make introductions in the commercial sector.
Jessica DunkAmicus [email protected]
i-Probonoi-Probono is a non-profit, independent online networking organization that provides students opportunities to apply their legal skills by connecting them to lawyers and organizations that offer various projects. Sponsored by Field Fisher Waterhouse and Allen & Overy, i-Probono has created a network of over 40,000 lawyers, a number that is constantly expanding.
As many of you may be hesitant as to where your career might take you, i-Probono offers a diverse range of projects that are matched according to your interests noted during the registration process, which ensures that the particular skillset you possess is engaged. In fact, there are a variety of sectors that projects are available in, ranging from health, government to criminal, which can help you explore different areas of interest. i-Probono is easy to sign up, and equally easy to navigate.
For more information regarding upcoming events, pro-bono work, internships and volunteering, visit the i-Probono Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ iprobono) and Twitter pages (http://twitter.com/#!/iprobono). For more general information, feel free to visit the website (http://www.i-probono.com/) or email Eldon Chan at [email protected] for more information.
There are internships available immediately, so do not hesitate and sign up today!
Opportunity InternationalOpportunity International works in developing countries to provide microfinance services to the poor. By making business loans, savings, and insurance accessible to people in rural communities, we hope to equip them with the resources to work their way out of poverty. Here at Kings, OI is a bunch of passionate individuals working together to fund microfinance in Mozambique. An events-based society, OI seeks to engage the student population in empowering the poor. Creating awareness and raising funds are our two main goals. When we aren’t organising microfinance debate competitions with Simmons & Simmons, we like to hover around campus selling Krispy Kremes. You will find us at the Waterfront (Macadam building) every Wednesday over a plate of curly fries.
Jun Yin TanOpportunity International [email protected]
Eldon Chani-Probono [email protected]
Our EventsPast Events
Freshers Fair Karaoke Night Human Rights Week
Cherie Blair QC Talk Eversheds Legal Quiz Pro Bono Awards
Upcoming Events• Welcome Drinks
• Human Rights Week 2012
• Pro Bono Speaker Series
• National Pro Bono Week
• And many more to be announced throughout the year!!
Why join the Pro Bono Society?• Pro Bono allows you to have the opportunity to give something back, whether that be to A-Level
students from local schools, or to convicts maintaing their innocence.
• It allows you to take your legal knowledge from the text book and into the real world. You can actually put the things you have learnt in lectures and tutorials into action.
• It is a great chance to meet likeminded Law students and non-Law students all with the same goal and objective in mind.
• Pro Bono work will look great on your CV and is highly regarded by many employers.
• You will learn many new skills that will prove to be hugely important in whatever future career you chose. These skills include:
• Legal research• Interviewing• Negotiation• Teamwork• Presentation Skills
• The large number of varied projects mean that there is a project that will suit everyone.
Keep in Touch
facebook.com/kclprobono @kcl_probono
www.kclprobono.org.uk