KENT LAWCAMPAIGN GIVING ACCESS TO JUSTICE A NEW HOME

www.kent.ac.uk/lawcampaign

“The Kent Law Clinic has allowed me to gain justice in a world that so oftenrestricts those without money to do so.”

Over its 45-year history the KentLaw School, with the support of itsstudents, staff, alumni and localcommunity, has grown to becomeone of the largest and mostrespected law schools in thecountry. Widely recognised for itsinnovatively critical approach tolegal education, the School haschampioned the use of hands-onlearning to help students gain theknowledge, skills and confidencethey need to become the roundedcitizens and effective lawyers oftomorrow.

The excellence of the critical thinking educationthe School provides, and the social andpractical benefit it gives to its students and thelocal area, is demonstrated by two of its mostinfluential initiatives: the Kent Law Clinic and theMooting and Advocacy Programme.

Championing the vulnerable“I cannot possibly put into words justhow grateful I am for all your help andsupport through this tough time.Without you I would never have beenable to fight against this mistreatmentand would be jobless, penniless andhave never achieved closure. The KentLaw Clinic has allowed me to gainjustice in a world that so often restrictsthose without money to do so.”

Kent Law Clinic Client

The Kent Law School was the first UK law schoolto allow students to conduct cases and providefree legal advice and representation direct to thepublic as part of their studies. Today the KentLaw Clinic continues to reach out to thevulnerable in the community that cannot affordlegal support to help them gain justice.

Its students and staff, working with solicitorsand barristers in private practice whogenerously volunteer their assistance, provide adesperately needed service in employment,housing, welfare, contract, immigration, public

“The Kent Law Clinic has forged a reputation for its pioneeringwork bringing together law students, local solicitors and barristersto provide free legal advice to thousands of people who could notafford legal aid. Equally important, it has developed what hasbeen called a new generation of students with a strong sense of theimportance of public service.”The Times

shadow judges or undertake other forms ofwork experience as part of this programme,which has proved so successful that studentshave brought home such accolades as the CPS‘Best Advocate Prize’ three years running. Italso seems there is a direct link betweenachievement in mooting at the School and lateraccomplishments such as scholarships andpupillages.

Through these award-winning initiatives, thathave reached out to and helped so many withinthe local community, KLS has nurtured thetalent and energy of hundreds of students –deepening their knowledge, honing their skillsand embedding within them the highestprofessional values.

The time has now come for KLS to build onthese foundations, and furnish today’sstudents and the local community withfacilities properly equipped to deliver a serviceit, and they, truly need and deserve. And if youare passionate as we are about access tojustice, and the future of legal education, we’dlike to ask you to become involved in whatpromises to be a trail-blazing project.

law and many other fields. Students, undersupervision, appear as advocates in smallclaims in the County Court and in theEmployment and Social Security Tribunals. Theyhave helped clients secure over £1 million incompensation, and assisted many others toremain in their homes, keep their jobs or gainasylum in this country.

Furthering the profession “Mooting is probably the closest thingyou can do at law school to whatappellate barristers really do in practice.For me, being given a ‘real’ client with a‘real’ problem made what I was learningat law school infinitely moremeaningful.”

Kent Law School Student

KLS has, through its Mooting and AdvocacyProgramme, also enabled countless students todevelop their legal analysis and advocacy skillsin the dynamic setting of a mock trial in front oflocal judges and lawyers. Mooters regularly

It’s astonishing that an initiativethat has given so much to servingthe community works from as small a space as its current setting.The Law Clinic has been such a success that more and morestudents choose to study at Kent, and yet many cannot takeadvantage of what the Clinic has to offer.

The Clinic’s present facilities are in desperateneed of expansion and updating. The MootingProgramme is similarly hampered by its lack ofany proper ‘home’ – an appropriate, dedicatedand inspiring space where mock trials can takeplace in authentic surroundings, and studentscan learn mooting techniques in the mosteffective way.

This is why the University has committed tocreating a new building that will equip both theKLS Mooting Programme and the Law Clinicwith the room and the resources they need toinvolve more students, enhance theiremployability and deliver a service they, andthose they help, value so highly.

“The Law Clinic is of enormous benefit to members ofthe local community, and significantly enhances thelegal education of the students involved in it.” Lord Woolf, Former Lord Chief Justice, England & Wales

The vision The Wigoder Law Building, named in honour ofThe Hon. Charles Wigoder, a major benefactorand alumnus, will be a stunning open and airybuilding with views to the city of Canterbury,which will provide an inspiring studentexperience and allow even more to be involvedin this hugely beneficial education and socialjustice initiative.

On the upper floor, the uniquely designedKennedy Wong Mooting Chamber, named inhonour of an alumnus who has made agenerous donation, will give students a real-lifefeel for court and tribunal hearings, and theopportunity to develop skills in civil negotiationand dispute resolution.

The result will be a building that provides adynamic legal education fit for the 21st century– and a legacy for the future of which everyoneinvolved can be proud.

Becoming reality “I can’t begin to tell you how much weappreciate your support and hard work,without you we would never have comethis far. We want to give a smalldonation to the Law Clinic. I know itdoesn’t touch what you have done for usbut I hope it helps.”

Kent Law Clinic Client

The total cost to bring this amazing project tolife is £5 million. With the severe constraintsimposed on public funding and many demandson limited resources, the University cannot meetthis cost entirely on its own.

As such the Kent Law Campaign is reachingout to trusts and foundations, law firms andsocieties, alumni, friends of the University, staffand students who have already beenoverwhelmingly supportive of this vision. TheUniversity will match each donation receivedpound for pound and to date generousdonations and events such as sponsoredmarathons, skydives, Three Peaks Challenge,pub quizzes and comedy nights have helped toraise over £3.3 million. The University hasfurther given its commitment to the project bypledging to cover all further operational costs.

By donating to the Kent Law Campaign you willbe playing a valued part in enabling the LawSchool to keep pace with student growth andexpectations; assist so many more members ofthe public, and continue to innovate in bothlegal education and social justice.

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An award-winning Law School, an internationally renownedUniversityThe University of Kent, the UK’s European University, is a top-20 UK institution, confirmed by theGuardian University Guide with 19,500 students studying at campuses in Canterbury, MedwayMaritime, Brussels and Paris. It prides itself on providing excellent opportunities at undergraduateand postgraduate level to people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and from school-leaversto mature learners, European and international students.

A pioneer of clinical legal education in the UK since the 1970s, the University’s Kent Law Schoolhas grown dramatically to become one of the institution’s largest departments, with around 1,600students based across three campuses. Ranked sixth in the UK for the quality of its research in2008, the School also has an outstanding record for teaching an innovative curriculum thatencourages critical thinking. Kent Law School has been rated as the 10th best law school in the UKin The Times 2014 Good University Guide its highest position to date.

Shortlisted May 2013 for ‘Ethical Initiative of the Year’: The Lawyer Awards June, 2013Shortlisted May 2012 for ‘Pro Bono Team of the Year’: The Lawyer Awards June, 2012 Outstanding New Mediation Programme Award, International Mediation Competition March, 2013Law Teacher of the Year Award 2012The Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community LawWorks & Attorney General Student Award 2012: Best New Student Pro Bono Activity LawWorks & Attorney General Student Award 2011: Best Contribution by a Law School LawWorks & Attorney General Student Award 2008: Best Individual Student “Spirit of Jessup” Award, Philip Jessup National Mooting Competition 2010CPS Best Advocate Prize 2012CPS Best Advocate Prize 2011CPS Best Advocate Prize 2010

Our Campaign Board Professor Richard de Friend, Campaign Chair (Eliot 1967) Colin Mendoza, Deputy Chair (Darwin 1979)Elaine Colville (Eliot 1972)Peter Frawley (Darwin 1977) Elizabeth Hiester, Former member of Kent Law SchoolDavid Hughes (Keynes 1973)James Laughland (Darwin 1987)Sir John Mummery DL, Lord Justice of Appeal andDeputy Lieutenant of Kent

Jeremy Pendlebury (Keynes 1976)District Judge Michael Walker CBE (Eliot 1969)

Our Patrons The Rt Hon Lord Justice AikensJudge George ArestisAndrew Baillie QCSir Geoffrey Chipperfield KCBLord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony Jonathan Cohen QCDr Amanda Cottrell OBE JP DLSir Terence EthertonHis Honour Judge Jeremy Gold QCCourtenay Griffiths QCDame Rosalyn Higgins DBE QCProfessor David McLellanProfessor Sir David Melville CBESir Geoffrey Nice QCDr Lucy Scott-MoncrieffDr Phil ShinerAdrian TaylorDr Kennedy Wong DCLSir Robert Worcester KBE

The Kent Law Campaign – educating, innovating and widening access to justice.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to repay the huge debt I owe Kent LawSchool. I know from personal experience and from the numerous fellow alumnithat I’ve met the high regard and great affection in which KLS is held by itsformer students, and how much of that is attributable to the Law Clinic.”Professor Richard de Friend, Campaign Chair and Law Alumnus, Eliot 1967

Asking for your help…If you would like to be involved in thisexciting new phase in the history of theKent Law School we would be delightedto show you our plans in more detail,and discuss with you how you can helpus achieve this vitally important initiative.

There are so many ways you can giveyour support, from donating cash giftsby phone, post or online to taking part insponsored events and making gifts ofshares or pledges.

For major donations we are thrilled to beable to offer the opportunity to nameindividual rooms within the new building,whether that be in your name, that ofyour charitable trust or company, or inmemory of a loved one. Every donation,large or small, is hugely appreciated,and will be acknowledged on the DonorBoard in the Reception area.

You can view an artist’s impression of the stunning proposed building, find out more about our plans and how you can support this ground-breakingcampaign, by visiting our website atwww.kent.ac.uk/lawcampaign.Alternatively please feel free to get in touch with our Campaigns Team at the address below:

Hilary EdridgeHead of CampaignsDevelopment OfficeUniversity of KentCanterbury Kent CT2 2NZ

T: +44 (0)1227 824041M: 07702 816016E : H.A.Edridge@kent.ac.uk

www.kent.ac.uk/lawcampaign

@kentlawcampaign

facebook.com/kentlawcampaign

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