A feather in their caps for university's young legal eagles

Annabel Williams • Last updated 30 Oct 2008 10:41 0 Comments

LEGAL eagles from Reading University have been praised for swooping to the aid of those in need of advice - and all for free.

Law students' contributions to community mediation and to working as trained volunteers with the town's Citizens Advice Bureaux were recognised at a School of Law open day.

Eighteen first-year law students completed a six-month training programme to become pro bono - or volunteer - community mediators with Resolve, a Reading-based charity which helps with all aspects of mediation, from noise nuisance to anti-social behaviour, boundary disputes or neighbour complaints.

Others have trained to become volunteer Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) advisors.

Youngsters commit to attend weekly evening training seminars over the six months, do fortnightly familiarisation visits at CAB offices and devote at least 100 hours to advising CAB clients.

Laura Cobb, a second year law student, said: "Since participating in Resolve's mediation training, my ability to communicate appropriately, listen, empathise and understand difficult personal problems has vastly improved.

"Such good, yet simple techniques are crucial when trying to help determined clients resolve what may be an emotional and ongoing dispute and really do determine whether your clients will reach an agreement or turn to litigation.

"From a legal perspective in particular, mediation provides not only a good insight into the alternatives to litigation, but how and why disputes arise in the first place."

Margaret Haines, Resolve service manager, said: "The students really enjoyed the course and will have these skills for the rest of their lives.

"The next step is that they will start shadowing real cases and learn how to apply the skills in real-life situations.

"We hope they will join our mediator team for the rest of their time here in Reading. We need young people to come forward to help the community - so many cases involve young people."

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 30 Oct 08

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