Home » News

Latest News

  • Want to “Walk the Thames” with FRU?
    Wed, 08/21/2013 - 15:18

    FRU are looking for walkers to sign up to the annual “Walk the Thames” event to raise money for FRU’s new computers!


    walk the thames logoWe are asking people to join Management Committee members George Miller and Madeline Stanley in walking the Thames on 5th and 6th October 2013.

    This is a fun way to raise money, meet other legal professionals, see the riverside sites of London and get a FRU t-shirt!

    This years’ Walk the Thames will be led by Mr Justice Haddon-Cave.

    Walk the Thames is a two day event organised by the London Legal Trust which allows participants the opportunity to take part at a level which is suitable for them.

    Participants can choose to either walk or run over one or two days of this 40 mile winter walk (20 miles per day).
    - Day One sees walkers travel from Clifford Chance's offices in Canary Wharf to Putney.
    - Day Two has a route from Russell Cooke's offices in Putney to Hampton Court.

    Want to join us? Email Rebecca  for more details.

    If you don’t have the time to walk – then please consider donating! In 2012 FRU raised £1,230.00 from the walk – we want to beat this total in 2013!

    DONATE NOW

  • New computers!
    Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:36

    We would like to thank everyone who made a donation to our appeal.  

    Thanks to your help, we were able to raise sufficient funds to replace our computers.

    The new computers have been installed and have already made a great difference, helping our volunteers to do their excellent work.

    We are grateful for your generosity and appreciate your help, which has made such an impact on the vital work we do.

     

  • UCL Talent Show
    Wed, 07/24/2013 - 14:17

    On 22nd March 2013 UCL students raised a magnificent £498 for FRU at their annual pro bono talent show.

    UCL Talent Show PictureMiles Beckwith, Performer said "Taking part in 'Benthams got talent' was great fun. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and everyone seemed up for a good night. It's nice to know that the whole thing was in aid of the FRU, which is a great cause. The money raised comes at a crucial time and it is fundraising events like this that will safeguard everyone's right to representation."

    UCL Talent ShowJack Palmer-Coole, Organiser, UCL Law Society Pro Bono Officer 2012-2013 said "The money raised by the Talent Show was donated to FRU as we felt that it was a most worthy cause to aid as a student body and more importantly to promote amongst the student body. The faculty already has strong links with FRU and it was clear that FRU has committed time and effort to allow UCL Law Students to experience Pro Bono and wider opportunities and therefore is something the UCL Law Society and myself wanted to thank them for."

    The FRU team are hugely grateful for the money raised by the UCL students and wish them every luck with their studies!

    If you are a University or Student and would like to run a similar event please contact: fundraiser@thefru.org.uk

  • 2013 Virgin Active London Triathlon - Support Old Square's Teams
    Wed, 07/10/2013 - 13:48

    Six Teams organised by Old Square Chambers are raising money for FRU by participating in the 2013 Virgin Active London Triathlon; the largest and most established Triathlon in the world.

    The event will take place on 27/07/2013 and 28/07/2013 and expects to attract over 13,000 triathletes across the two days.

    On Saturday 27th July there will be the Super Sprint, Sprint, the Team Sprint and the Team Olympic events, whereas on the Sunday there will be the Olympic distance events, including the elites racing and the Olympic Plus event.

    Please show your support for FRU and Old Square Chambers epic athletic attempts by sponsoring one (or all!) of the six teams here:

    Team 1

    Team 2

    Team 3

    Team 4

    Team 5

    Team 6

     

     

     

     

  • Attorney General Visits the FRU Office
    Wed, 07/03/2013 - 12:06

    On Wednesday 26th June 2013, the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, visited the Free Representation Unit (FRU)’s office. He met with members of staff, trustees and volunteers and was given an overview of the practicalities of running a FRU case as well as the general work of the office.

    AG at FRU reception

    During his visit, FRU staff, trustees and volunteers had the opportunity to talk to the AG about their concerns around the introduction of fees in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. FRU staff and trustees expressed their concerns that the introduction of fees would unfairly discriminate against their clients who were often seeking small amounts of compensation which would be dwarfed by the tribunal fee.

    FRU staff reiterated concerns that even if a client were successful they would not automatically be entitled to have the fee repaid by the respondent and drew the Attorney General’s attention to the Ministry of Justice study which said a third of all claimants had not received their Employment Tribunal award a year after judgment was given.

    FRU staff and trustees also talked to the Attorney General about the role of Pro Bono organisations across the sector in the new legal landscape and the role that FRU, and other similar organisations, could play. Staff members explained that although they are able to represent over 1000 claimants a year, this amounts to only 0.54% of all employment cases and 0.11% of all social security cases lodged across the country.

    The Attorney General also spoke about his involvement with pro bono work as a bar student, and his memories of FRU in the early 1980’s.

    Lindsey Poole, Interim Chief Executive of FRU, said:

    “It was wonderful to have the Attorney General visit FRU. It provided the team with a fascinating insight into the current thinking within government and the opportunity to raise issues important to FRU and our clients”.

    Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General, said:

    “It was great to return to FRU thirty years after I first encountered them as a Bar student. I was delighted to see they are continuing their sterling work providing representation for people who need support at tribunals. It’s wonderful that from one small room on Gray’s Inn Road they are able to reach out and help so many people; from those who need representation to the employment judges who are able to deal with the cases more efficiently. Long may it continue.”