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  • FRU invited to be the charity partner for The Lawyer Awards 2021
    Wed, 05/05/2021 - 15:27

    FRU has been appointed as the charity partner of a major legal awards scheme for a second year running. The Lawyer magazine holds a prestigious legal awards scheme to celebrate excellence in legal services each year. FRU was nominated to be the charity partner in 2020. The online awards ceremony was hosted by comedian Dara Ó Briain who offered his good wishes for our work after the ceremony. The Lawyer has now offered FRU the opportunity to be the official charity partner for the awards for a second year in 2021.

    FRU Chief Executive commented "we are honoured to be asked to be the charity partner for an unprecedented second year and thank The Lawyer for its ongoing support for our work. We look forward to continuing this association". More about the awards can be found at this link https://www.thelawyer.com/event/the-lawyer-awards/.

  • Bar Council opens up Instagram to FRU
    Wed, 05/05/2021 - 15:26

    We were delighted to be given a new showcase by one of our most important supporters on Friday 30 April. The Bar Council allowed FRU to take over its Instagram feed for the day. The Bar Council makes a significant donation towards our costs each year, and currently the Chair of the Bar Council appoints our trustees. We took the opportunity to showcase some of our supporters, enabling them to explain why they are involved with our work. The contributors included:

    • Mahika Gogi, one of our current volunteers,
    • Rosie Vince, our latest Linklaters LLP secondee
    • Daniel Barnett, barrister from Outer Temple Chambers and broadcaster
    • The Secret Barrister, one of our patrons

    We also showcased some feedback from clients represented by FRU volunteers.

    FRU Chief Executive David Abbott said " Thanks to everyone who contributed and to Derek Sweeting QC, Bar Council Chair and the Bar Council communications team who helped us to set the whole thing up. We really appreciated the chance to talk about our work to a wide audience. The FRU content can be viewed here:
    https://www.instagram.com/thebarcouncil/.

  • Volunteering
    Fri, 04/09/2021 - 15:37

    Volunteering

    Volunteers remain at the heart of FRU’s work. 

    Some social security and most employment cases are still being heard remotely. However, particularly in social security, cases are being heard in person and so all reps need to be able to attend the hearing venue if needed.
    If you are interested in training as a volunteer please see our training day page.

    If you are a current volunteer and want to take on a case you should look at the FRU Online system to see the available cases and then contact the legal officers by emailing to express an interest in taking out the case.

     

  • Linklaters' trainee Rosie Vince joins FRU
    Mon, 03/22/2021 - 11:39

    We are delighted to welcome our latest trainee solicitor from Linklaters LLP, one of the most prestigious UK law firms. Rosie Vince has joined us for a 6-month secondment, as part of her 2-year training contract.

    Linklaters LLP is a leading supporter of FRU's work, and each year a trainee is seconded to FRU to gain experience of case management and advocacy.

    FRU Chief Executive David Abbott commented " It is wonderful to welcome Rosie to join us for 6 months. Undertaking a secondment during lock-down is challenging, but we are sure that Rosie will enjoy her time with us, and will contribute hugely to our work over the summer".

  • FRU Moves Offices
    Mon, 02/22/2021 - 16:57

    FRU have been very busy today moving out of our old office at Kingsbourne House on High Holborn.  We have managed to keep the office open (remotely) during our move.

    We are successfully in our new office at Gray’s Inn Square; however, we still have the much bigger task of unpacking ahead of us.

    Our new address is 10/11 Gray’s Inn Square, Gray’s Inn, London, WC1R 5JD.