School’s pro bono work celebrated in law award shortlist

The hard work and dedication of School of Law and Politics students and staff has yet again been recognised in a prestigious law awards shortlist.

This year’s LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards has shortlisted the work of the School’s Pro Bono Unit in the Best contribution by a law school (undergraduate and postgraduate) category and one of its schemes, the Fresh Claims Project has been highlighted in the Best New Pro Bono Activity category.

Recognition of the Unit’s hard work and success in 2026 is timely following its twentieth anniversary which the team celebrated last year. Over 400 law students currently volunteer across a range of pro bono schemes which cover a variety of needs and sectors including miscarriages of justice and a law clinic set up to give legal advice to  individuals on housing and some family matters. The Unit’s Innocence Project remains the only UK university scheme to have ever overturned convictions at the Court of Appeal (twice, in 2014 and in 2018).

Against the backdrop of 20 years of work, the Fresh Claims Project is a relative newcomer to the Unit’s roster. However, it has achieved a lot since its beginnings in 2024. Working with Asylum Justice and led by experienced immigration and asylum lawyer Jennifer Morgan and supported by Coordinator Suzy McGarrity, the project aims to provide a full casework service to refused asylum seekers in Cardiff who want to provide new or updated evidence to the Home Office in support of their cases.

The project currently has a 100% success rate, helping cases that include a sexual violence survivor and her young child from Ghana, and a Palestinian man with health issues granted leave to remain in the UK.

The project also works holistically within the refugee sector to improve non-legal outcomes for clients on matters relating to housing, health and mental health.

Co-Head of Pro Bono and Clinical Legal Education, Professor Julie Price said, “We are thrilled to be shortlisted again this year, in recognition of the diversity of our activity over two decades. We have so much work going on across the Unit but it is fantastic that the Fresh Claims Project has been singled out for their work as we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards will take place at the House of Lords on 28April 2026.The ceremony will be hosted by Lord Peter Goldsmith KC, Chair of LawWorks and Baron Richard Hermer, Attorney General, will be presenting the awards to the winners.