Press releases

Law student Joanne Charlton has won the first ever best student award from the York College of Law for her work on the public legal services course.

Joanne, 24, from County Durham, completed the six-month course in addition to the normal law qualification. The £500 prize from the Legal Services Commission will be presented to her at a presentation evening at the York College of Law on Thursday 9 November 2006.

Joanne said: "I am delighted to be the first ever student to win the Public Legal Services route prize offered by the Legal Services Commission. The course is an excellent opportunity for law students wanting to do publicly funded legal work. It gave me an insight into how the legal aid system works and also helped me obtain employment as a family law paralegal at David Gray Solicitors in Newcastle which specialises in public funded legal work."

The course, launched last year, consists of a series of workshops and is designed to teach law students about how the legal aid system works and raise some of the key issues. This year, over 30 students have opted to take part. It is an addition to the normal law qualification so it requires the commitment of the students to take on extra work on top of their already busy timetables.

Peter Nelson, Regional Director of the Legal Services Commission, said: "We are delighted to support this course and I look forward to presenting Joanne with her prize. The College plays a key role in training the legal aid lawyers of the future. I have met this year’s students and talked to them about the way that legal aid helps some of the most vulnerable in our society and the vital contribution of skilled and committed solicitors who do publicly funded work.

"Last year we helped more clients with civil legal problems than at any time in the past six years and the trend is continuing this year. There are nonetheless some big challenges ahead to ensure a sustainable future, while ensuring best use is made of tax-payers money. We want to make sure that we do everything we can to encourage students to take up careers in legal aid.”

This year’s course will run over through to May 2007 and students will receive a College of Law certificate when they have successfully completed the workshops.

Paul Aber, Regional Director of the York College of Law said: “We are committed to providing specialist training for students wanting to pursue a career in publicly funded work as well as for those wanting to work in larger commercial practice. I would like to thank the LSC for their support and to congratulate Joanne and wish her every success in the future. Given the standard and dedication of her fellow students taking the PLS route here at York this represents a considerable achievement.”

Media information

Craig Evans (Tel: 0113 390 7318)

Photo call: Joanne Charlton will be presented with her award at 7pm on Thursday 9 November at the York College of Law.

Notes to editors

1. The Legal Services Commission is sponsored by the Department for Constitutional Affairs with the key objective of providing accountable access to justice for through publicly-funded legal services. It replaced the Legal Aid Board in 2000.
   
   
2. Ninety people are employed by the Legal Services Commission in the Leeds office, which is responsible for the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
   
   
3. Anyone can access free advice and information by contacting the Community Legal Service Direct service. Call 0845 345 4 345 or visit the Community Legal Service Direct website.