Parliament recognises University of Leicester Legal Advice Clinic’s Justice for Windrush project 

Students and staff from the University of Leicester’s Legal Advice Clinic were invited to a special Windrush Day reception at 10 Downing Street recognising organisations and individuals supporting victims of the Windrush scandal. 

The event brought together advocates from across the country who provide pro bono advocacy support to people affected by the scandal, while also celebrating the valuable contributions of the Windrush generation to British society.  

The Legal Advice Clinic was invited to Downing Street by the then Lord Chancellor, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. David Lammy MP, who spoke at the event alongside Windrush Commissioner Clive Foster. 

The University of Leicester’s Legal Advice Clinic sees Leicester Law School students supporting victims of the Windrush scandal in accessing compensation for the denial of their legal rights and the threat of deportation from the UK, despite having every right to live in the country. 

Last year, the Legal Advice Clinic was awarded £40,000 by the Home Office as part of the Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund. The funding has enabled the clinic to continue its essential practical support and advocacy to individuals affected by the Windrush scandal. 

During his speech, David Lammy highlighted the importance of remembering the sacrifices and contributions of the Windrush generation, while continuing efforts to address the injustices experienced by those affected by the scandal.   He spoke about the Government’s commitment to working with communities to understand the support needed by Windrush scandal victims and to ensure eligible individuals receive compensation. 

Windrush Commissioner Clive Foster outlined his work in response to Recommendation 3 of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, which calls for reconciliation and restorative dialogue between those affected by the scandal and government representatives. 

The University of Leicester's Legal Advice Clinic has worked closely with the Commissioner's Office, with student volunteers attending listening events, building relationships with community organisations and sharing insights into the challenges faced by Windrush victims and the support the Legal Advice Clinic offers.

Afsaan Sharif, Supervising Solicitor of the Legal Advice Clinic at the University of Leicester, has also contributed to a restorative dialogue group established by the Commissioner in response to Recommendation 3 of the review. The recommendation calls for reconciliation events that allow those affected by the scandal to share the impact on their lives directly with ministers, senior officials and trained facilitators.

Afsaan said: “It was a privilege for our students and staff to be invited to Downing Street and to see the work of the Legal Advice Clinic recognised alongside organisations supporting those affected by the Windrush scandal.  This recognition reflects the dedication, commitment and passion our students bring to supporting access to justice.”

Joel Shoroye, recent graduate from Leicester Law School and representative of the Legal Advice Clinic said: “The event was wonderful and brought many leading figures from the UK’s Afro-Caribbean community together. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy gave a speech commemorating the day, followed by the Home Office Windrush Commissioner, who echoed his and all of our commitments to bringing justice to affected people. 

I was fortunate enough to engage David Lammy in a one-to-one conversation regarding the proposed no jury trial. As a law student and aspiring lawyer, the conversation applied the principles I had learnt throughout my degree, especially my law of evidence module.”

The project was set up by Clinic Director Laura Bee in response to the Windrush scandal to support those affected and raise awareness of the Home Office Compensation Scheme.  The project enables students to apply their legal knowledge in a real-world setting, while supporting individuals seeking justice and redress for the hardship and injustice they faced.  It also contributes to wider restorative dialogue, helping to ensure that the experiences of those affected by the Windrush scandal are heard, acknowledged and remembered.

The invitation to the parliamentary reception recognised the clinic's ongoing commitment to supporting members of the Windrush generation and their families through free legal advice and advocacy.