Press Release

Law Society hosts 'Lawyers in Schools' celebration event

The Law Society of England and Wales is hosting a celebration event on Friday 4th July to celebrate the successes of the 'Lawyers in Schools' Twinning Scheme and to encourage more firms to get involved in England and Wales.

The event also celebrates the Law Society Charity’s ongoing financial support of the Citizenship Foundation and its work since its establishment as the Law in Education Project in 1984.

The event highlights the Law Society's commitment in two major aspects of good legal business behaviour: supporting solicitors and law firms who are engaging in proactive corporate responsibility activities and promoting public legal education.

The Lawyers in Schools Twinning Scheme was developed by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with Linklaters in 1999. The scheme enables lawyers to work with young people to develop their awareness and understanding of the law primarily in economically disadvantaged areas.

Volunteers, pupils and teachers currently involved in the scheme will showcase the benefits of the programme by demonstrating the skills they have developed with invited guests from law firms, businesses, the Ministry of Justice and other interested professionals.

There are currently 9 law firms and 2 in-house legal teams participating in the Lawyers in Schools Twinning Scheme from leading firms and businesses in Leeds, London, Manchester and Swindon.

For the academic year 2007 -2008 some 150 lawyers have worked in 13 State secondary schools volunteering their time and sharing their knowledge with over 600 young people.

Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, says, "The Lawyers in Schools Twinning Scheme reflects the venerable tradition of solicitors engaging with, and supporting, their local communities. We are extremely proud of the law firms and in-house Counsel already involved in the programme and believe that there is an enormous opportunity for further partnerships to be developed nationwide.

"Time and again we hear how those involved in community investment activities are not only helping to build healthier communities but are reaping the benefits with happy, committed staff, high levels of local respect and ultimately better businesses."

Nigel Dodds, Chair of the Law Society Charity comments, "The Law Society Charity is proud to be a key funder and supporter of the Citizenship Foundation and to be associated with this excellent scheme which aligns perfectly with our aims and objectives."

Andrew Phillips OBE, President of the Citizenship Foundation says,"It is not going too far to say that without the Law Society there would be no Citizenship Foundation. Their funding of the Law in Schools Project in the 1980s, to the tune of a third of a million pounds, was the direct precursor of our establishment.

"Furthermore the funding of core costs since then by The Law Society Charity has been utterly indispensable. Dare I say it, the Society and its Charity have rendered a great public service through their support of the Foundation."

Tony Breslin, Chief Executive at the Citizenship Foundation says,"If democracy is to function effectively, law related education delivered through the Citizenship Curriculum in schools and via a broader programme of public/legal education accessible to the wider adult population is vital.

"The Citizenship Foundation is immensely grateful for the substantial and enduring support of The Law Society, The Law Society Charity, solicitors and the broader legal profession. Our programmes in schools such as The Lawyers in Schools Twinning Scheme and publications such as 'Young Citizen's Passport' owe their existence to this support."