Cardiff, Sheffield, Ulster Pro Bono Awards 2026

Key Points

• Law students from Cardiff University, Ulster University, Sheffield Hallam University, and Bristol Law Centre won awards at the 2026 LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards, announced at a House of Lords ceremony last week.
• Cardiff University’s Fresh Claims Project won ‘Best New Pro Bono Activity’ for supporting destitute asylum seekers, achieving a 100% success rate on 14 cases since November 2024.
• Ulster University’s Brenda McNally received ‘Best Contribution by an Individual’ for her work in employment, welfare, and clinic supervision while balancing studies and caring responsibilities.
• Sheffield Hallam University earned ‘Best Contribution by a Law School’ for over 30,000 hours of student-led pro bono work, aiding areas like family law, immigration, and refugee rights.
• Bristol Law Centre’s Legal Advocacy Support Project won ‘Best Contribution by a Team of Students’ for representing disabled people in welfare benefits appeals, with over 80% success rate.
• Attorney General Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC praised pro bono work as vital for access to justice, not a substitute for legal aid.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) May 5, 2026
Law students from Cardiff University, Ulster University, Sheffield Hallam University, and Bristol Law Centre have been honoured for their pro bono efforts in promoting access to justice. The 2026 winners were announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords last week, recognising projects that include asylum support, welfare benefits appeals, and over 30,000 hours of student-led legal work.

The awards highlight the role of law schools and students in addressing gaps in legal support across the UK. Cardiff University’s Fresh Claims Project secured the ‘Best New Pro Bono Activity’ award. Run in collaboration with Welsh asylum charity Asylum Justice, the initiative supports destitute appeal-rights exhausted asylum seekers with no recourse to public funds.

What is the Cardiff University Fresh Claims Project and its achievements?

Backed by 28 student volunteers, the project has handled 14 complex end-to-end cases since November 2024. Students have reviewed documents, identified legal issues, conducted research, sourced expert reports, and drafted submissions. The project reports a 100% success rate so far.

How did Ulster University’s Brenda McNally contribute to pro bono efforts?

Ulster University’s Brenda McNally won the ‘Best Contribution by an Individual’ award for nearly two years of work with the Ulster University Law Clinic. McNally, who balances part-time study with caring responsibilities for two children with special educational needs, has assisted clients in employment and welfare matters.

She prepared tribunal cases and supported vulnerable individuals through complex appeals. McNally also served as the clinic’s first Student Clinician Supervisor, mentoring undergraduates on interviewing, case strategy, and professional standards.

Why did Sheffield Hallam University win for law school contributions?

Sheffield Hallam University received the ‘Best Contribution by a Law School’ prize after its students contributed more than 30,000 hours of supervised pro bono legal work over the past academic year. Through the Hallam Legal Advice Centre and Justice Hubs, students assisted with family law, criminal injuries compensation, criminal appeals, prisoners’ rights, civil disputes, and immigration matters.

More than 300 students participate in supervised pro bono activity each year. The university’s Refugee Rights Hub has supported over 2,700 clients worldwide, achieving a success rate of over 90%.

What is Bristol Law Centre’s Legal Advocacy Support Project?

Bristol Law Centre’s Legal Advocacy Support Project picked up the ‘Best Contribution by a Team of Students’ award. The project involves students representing disabled people appealing Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decisions on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits at the First-tier Tribunal. Volunteers commit for at least a year, gaining experience in case management, tribunal procedure, and client care. The project maintains a success rate consistently over 80%.

The Attorney General, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, congratulated the winners at the ceremony. As reported in coverage of the event, Lord Hermer stated:

“Pro bono is some of the most interesting work you can get involved in as a young lawyer. It is not a substitute for legal aid, but it embodies the very best of what it means to be a lawyer: a belief that the law should serve everyone, no matter who they are.”

He continued:

“And while you can’t say yes to every case, the experiences you will gain through pro bono won’t happen in your usual nine-to-five. They will challenge you. They will surprise you. They will connect you with people whose lives will stay with you long after. And on the hard days, they will remind you of why you wanted to be a lawyer in the first place.”

These awards underscore the growing impact of student pro bono initiatives amid pressures on legal aid funding. LawWorks, a charity that coordinates pro bono services, organises the awards in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office. The ceremony in the House of Lords brought together students, academics, and legal professionals to celebrate these contributions.

The Fresh Claims Project at Cardiff addresses a specific vulnerability: asylum seekers who have exhausted appeal rights but remain destitute without public funds access. Volunteers from Cardiff University Law School work closely with Asylum Justice, a Cardiff-based charity focused on migrant rights. Since launching in November 2024, the 28 students have managed full case loads, from initial assessments to final submissions.

In Northern Ireland, Brenda McNally’s role at Ulster University Law Clinic demonstrates individual dedication. Her supervision of junior students ensures knowledge transfer, while her client work covers employment tribunals and welfare appeals. This dual role highlights how pro bono builds both practical skills and leadership.

Sheffield Hallam’s scale stands out, with 30,000 hours equating to significant community impact. The Refugee Rights Hub’s global reach, aiding over 2,700 clients, shows how university hubs extend beyond local borders, often partnering with international NGOs. Justice Hubs embed pro bono into the curriculum, requiring supervised practice.

Background of the LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards

The LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards began in 2012, organised by LawWorks, a charity that connects lawyers with community needs, in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office. They recognise outstanding student and law school contributions to free legal advice. Past winners have included projects on housing, homelessness, and human rights.

The annual House of Lords ceremony promotes pro bono as core to legal training, with categories evolving to reflect emerging needs like asylum and welfare support.

Prediction: Impact on Law Students and Aspiring Legal Professionals

This development can affect law students and aspiring legal professionals by providing recognised experience that strengthens CVs for training contracts and pupillages. Award-winning projects demonstrate practical skills in client care, research, and advocacy, valued by firms and chambers.

Universities like Cardiff, Ulster, and Sheffield may see increased participation, boosting clinic funding and partnerships. For individuals like Brenda McNally, it offers networking with peers and officials, potentially accelerating career entry. Overall, it encourages more students to engage in pro bono, enhancing access to justice while building resilient professionals equipped for complex cases.