Sarah Young of Ridley & Hall, Huddersfield invited on Commons date
LAWYERS and other professionals from Yorkshire who have provided free advice or support in their local community will be among 50 pro bono representatives enjoying a Parliamentary reception tomorrow.
Those attending were nominated by members of the Attorney General's Pro Bono Committee having contributed hours of assistance to people or organisations who would otherwise be denied it.
They include Huddersfield solicitor Sarah Young, managing partner of Ridley and Hall, who recently won the Association of Women Solicitors award for Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Small Practice.
Through Huddersfield Law Society she has helped to set up the Legal Support Service on Wednesday and Friday mornings at Huddersfield County Court.
A rota of local solicitors was drawn up to provide advice and representation initially on Wednesdays at family proceedings but this month it was extended to the Friday court which includes among others, small claims cases.
Another solicitor on the guest list is Christopher Billington, a partner with Wrigleys in Leeds whose pro bono work is primarily concerned with the provision of free legal support and advice to start up charities and social enterprises, focusing on organisations which promote social and economic regeneration in socially deprived areas.
His recent projects have included assisting the community organisation Tiger 11 which runs a variety of projects from its Leeds 11 base designed to create community benefits in the Beeston and Holbeck districts.
Associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, Sarah Brumpton is a trustee of the North East Legal Support Trust, a charitable foundation recently set up by lawyers across Yorkshire and the North East and which raises funds to support voluntary groups such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.
She said more people would turn to those voluntary groups as they were hit by the struggling economy.
Architect Robert Guttridge from the RMA Partnership in Tickhill, Doncaster, has provided free professional advice to Wombwell and District Amateur Operatic Society on developing a new balcony at their theatre.
He also gave help to Doncaster Rovers Belles football team.
The reception at the House of Commons is one of a series of events across the UK to mark National Pro Bono week from November 9-13.
Original Source: Yorkshire Post
Published Date: 02 November 2009
By Olwen Dudgeon Legal Correspondent
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