Latest News

  • Bar Council appoints new FRU trustee
    Mon, 03/04/2024 - 16:57

    We are pleased to welcome Sarah Bergstrom as a new FRU trustee. Sarah has been appointed as a trustee by the Bar Council, under the terms of our Articles of Association.

    Sarah is a Senior Legal Manager with HM Courts & Tribunals Service, she also sits part time as a Recorder.

    FRU Chief Executive David Abbott said "We rely on our trustees a great deal. It is fantastic to welcome Sarah as a new trustee. We look forward to making use of her experience as a barrister, legal manager in the court system and as a judge to guide us in the coming years".

    Sarah Bergstrom said "I am delighted to be appointed as a trustee of the FRU. It is a fantastic charity which, for the last 50 years, has provided pro bono opportunities for prospective lawyers to use their advocacy skills in real cases; enhancing their employability as advocates and providing invaluable representation to those who would not otherwise have access to it. I look forward to working with the trustees and staff to continuing and expanding the impact of FRU".

    Vice-Chair of the Bar Council Barbara Mills KC said  "The Bar Council is very pleased that Sarah-Louise Bergstrom will be taking up the position as representative Trustee at the Free Representation Unit, contributing to the oversight of the Unit’s important work supporting access to justice. I am impressed by her energy and enthusiasm for taking up the role. Sarah’s appointment has been wholeheartedly supported by our General Management Committee. Sarah is an employed criminal barrister, senior legal manager for HMCTS and sits as a recorder in the Crown Court.

  • A big welcome from FRU to Rodney L. Grant
    Wed, 02/14/2024 - 08:53

    We're delighted to be joined by Rodney Grant as our new Project Support Officer. Rodney joins us from a project supporting Ukranian people in the UK. Rodney comes with a wealth of experience in project management and community outreach with the Dept. of Work & Pensions. He has also founded a community organisation that provides early intervention and peer mental health support for men of African Caribbean heritage in London.

    Rodney is supporting the delivery of our project funded by Trust for London to increase legal representation in employment and social security tribunals to address poverty.

    FRU Chief Executive David Abbott commented "we are very pleased to welcome Rodney to FRU. The Trust for London project is a crucial one for FRU and our clients. Rodney has just the right mix of skills and experience to ensure success in increasing access to free legal representation for people who face discrimination and financial challenges".

  • Staff Vacancies - Admin Support Officer (Temporary)
    Mon, 02/05/2024 - 16:09

    We are recruiting for a temporary Admin Support Officer.

    The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 25th February 2024.

    If you're interested in the position, you can find full details on how to apply and information about the role on our vacancies page.

  • First annual report for the new FRU charity published
    Mon, 01/15/2024 - 14:26

    We are pleased to publish our latest annual report and accounts. The report covers the 12 months to December 2022 and is the first operational report for the incorporated FRU charity.

    Highlights of the report include:

    • 2022 marked fifty years of FRU work.
    • We secured more income for our clients in just three months of operation than the entire annual cost of our service, demonstrating our excellent value for money.
    • We were delighted to receive funding for an enhanced service in the county of Essex from the Essex Community Foundation. This resulted in gains for Essex clients of over six times the value of the grant
    • FRU made a small financial surplus during the period - something that isn't always guaranteed in these challenging funding times.

    The report can be viewed and downloaded at our Annual Reports page

  • We're hiring a new project support officer
    Wed, 12/13/2023 - 16:07

    We're delighted to be filling a brand new post. We've been funded for three years by Trust For London to improve access for clients to our service.

    We're seeking a project support officer to help us to deliver this project. For full details of how to apply please go to our vacancies page.