Trailblazing national list recognises voluntary work of 16 Chester Law students

A total of 16 students who are part of the Chester Community Law Project have been named on the 2026 Student Clinical Legal Education Recognition List - the first national scheme of its kind globally.

Mirroring the Pro Bono Recognition List for the profession, the new List recognises Law students across England and Wales who have volunteered 25 hours or more through their law school clinic or programme to provide free legal advice or assistance to individuals, charities or community groups.

The List is published by the Clinical Legal Education Organisation (CLEO) and is endorsed by the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, chaired by the Solicitor General. Pro bono work is legal advice or representation provided free of charge by legal professionals in the public interest.

Dr Andrea Todd, Associate Professor, Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement at the University of Chester’s Law School, and co-chair of CLEO, said: “By providing free legal advice and assistance, Law students can make a real difference in their communities.

“I’d like to congratulate all 16 of our extremely deserving students featured on the List. We’re delighted to celebrate our students’ contributions to helping those in need of free legal support and being fantastic ambassadors for our Law School and the University.”

To see the List, visit: https://www.probonorecognitionlist.org.uk/Student-CLE-List. The 16 Chester Law School students can be viewed on the List by selecting ‘University of Chester’ in the drop-down menu.

Finnula Clements, who recently completed the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) programme at the University, earning a first class degree, said: “I was honoured to find out that my name had been published on the List in recognition of the pro bono work I completed throughout my final year at the University of Chester.

“This recognition means so much more to me than simply the number of hours I volunteered. From attending court as a McKenzie Friend to meeting with clients at the Lasting Power of Attorney Clinic, these experiences gave me the opportunity to put what I was learning into practice, develop my communication skills and build the confidence to work directly with clients.”

She added that she was now able to carry those skills into her role as a Paralegal and Client Engagement Coordinator at HM3 Legal, where she interacts with clients every day and strives to ensure they receive a five-star service.

Fellow first class LLB graduate featured on the List, Kehinde Alemede, added: “As part of the Chester Community Law Project, I assisted litigants in person at the Chester Civil and Family Justice Centre, which gave me a deeper insight into what family and child law looked like beyond the classroom. I also had the opportunity to help several members of the community complete their Lasting Power of Attorney forms.

“I am proud of what I was able to contribute, grateful for everything I learnt along the way, and excited to carry these lessons into the next stage of my career.”

Chester Community Law Project brings together an award-winning range of community outreach initiatives led by University of Chester student project managers and operated by student volunteers.

The publication of the new Student Clinical Legal Education Recognition List comes as the legal profession and pro bono charities prepare for the 25th anniversary of UK Pro Bono Week, from November 2 to 6, 2026.

The free student-led Lasting Power of Attorney form-filling clinic runs during term-time on Wednesdays at Chester Law School. To enquire about an appointment, please email: lpa@chester.ac.uk

Image: Law students at the Chester Civil and Family Justice Centre, where they acted as McKenzie Friends to those without legal representation.