Teaching and Learning in 'Real World Contexts': Pro Bono Practice and 'Situated Learning/Communities of Practice.

Abstract

With the reductions recently made to legal aid, the subsequent possibilities for more self-representation in court, and/or the potential for cheaper, or even pro bono advice, from suitably qualified, or suitably supervised students will be recurring issues. Whilst information on ‘access for all’ is already provided by, for example, Law Works, the Solicitors pro bono organization, the potential for universities to increasingly provide such opportunities for their students will exist. UCLan Law school has recognised that, whilst meeting a recognized social need, such opportunities will provide students with valuable experience of the ethics of the legal profession, as well as the practicalities and learning experience of ‘problem solving’ in real world contexts. The fact that many organizations are already working internationally through pro bono work with legal teams and nongovernmental organizations, for example Trust Law Connect, is not currently recognized by many students. However, in a competitive and rapidly changing legal market, both for the provision of services and for recruitment, the value of pro bono work and its relationship to the ethics of the legal profession will be increasingly important. This perceived ‘value’ covers a wide spectrum, from environmental, humanitarian and social issues, including corporate responsibility, to the enhancement of the reputation of the legal profession, the organizations involved, the universities and last, but not least, to the students themselves. This poster addresses the ethical value and learning opportunities provided by the varied pro bono work already done with individuals and voluntary organizations. However, its main focus will be the pro bono work, including the ‘McKenzie Friends’ type of initiative, currently being created within UCLan by Lancashire Law school