The new Windrush Justice Clinic, which is already taking enquiries and will see clients from 2 November 2020, takes a specialist approach that seeks to recompense applicants justly, offering advice, assistance, casework and representation as appropriate. Where specialist immigration advice or legal representation is needed, the Clinic can refer clients to a specialist within their network.
The collaborative partnership consists of the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, University of Greenwich Legal Advice Clinic, London South Bank University Legal Advice Clinic, North Kensington Law Centre, Southwark Law Centre and community groups Claudia Jones Organisation, The Windrush Compensation Project and The Jigsaw House Society.
Established in April 2019, The Windrush Compensation Scheme was set up by the UK Government to provide victims of the Windrush scandal with compensation for their suffering. Since the Government first apologised two years ago for the treatment that people were subjected to, more than 12,000 people have received documentation from the Home Office confirming they are living in the UK legally. This offers an indication of the number of people who should be able to claim compensation before the scheme ends in April 2023.
By the end of September 2020, 1,531 people applied under the scheme, but only 168 people (11% of those who had lodged claims) have received Windrush compensation payments during the first 18 months of the scheme's operation. Only £1.3m had been distributed from a fund that the Government expected might be required to pay out between £200-500m.
Applicants must provide extensive and complex documentary evidence, often going back decades, providing proof 'beyond reasonable doubt' for their losses. The application runs 18 pages long, requires detailed calculations, supporting evidence and information about the non-financial impact of the hostile environment policy on them, their family and friends.
The university law clinics are on the frontline of The Windrush Justice Clinic to offer initial assistance and all clients will be assessed to decide what level of help they need. The clinics are run by law students, solicitors, barristers and accredited caseworkers.
Sally Gill Principal Lecturer and Director of the University of Greenwich Legal Advice Centre said
"I have felt strongly about the injustices suffered by the Windrush generation and their families as a direct result of the racist hostile environment policy ever since it happened. The Windrush Justice Clinic is a collective of organisations committed to offering the victims free legal assistance. By collaborating in this way it ensures that we are able to reach more of the community who were effected. We hope that it can become a national service to enable people to get free access to justice on Windrush cases."
The Windrush Justice Clinic's launch event will be held on the 20 October and the service will officially run from 2 November. The service will initially be based in London and will be provided through each individual university law clinic's website and phonelines.
The WJC launch event will take place from 6-7pm on 20 October. Book your place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/windrush-justice-clinic-launch-tickets-123968435929
Follow The Windrush Justice Clinic's Twitter page at @WindrushJC.
The Windrush Justice Clinic is currently London based but there are plans to roll it out nationally after an initial pilot phase. The Clinic is currently fundraising for a centralised website, phoneline and staff: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/windrushjusticeclinic
University of Greenwich Legal Advice Centre
The University of Greenwich Legal Advice Centre provides free legal advice to the public on Windrush justice, family law, employment law, small business and PIP form filling. All services are supervised by a practising solicitor, caseworker or barrister. Our trained final year students are committed to helping clients access advice and assistance. We also provide referrals on other areas of law and maintain close contact with local advice networks. Our partners include the Royal Borough of Greenwich Legal Department and Welfare Rights Service, Womble Bond Dickinson, and many other local lawyers who volunteer their time providing free legal advice to those who need it. We also place students externally in the community on legal work placements. For more details please contact Sally Gill the director of the service who also coordinates law employability for the school of law and criminology. S.gill@gre.ac.uk
LAW CLINIC CONTACT DETAILS
University of Greenwich Legal Advice Centre
Email: legaladvicecentre@gre.ac.uk
Website URL: http://www.gre.ac.uk/legal-advice-centre
London South Bank University Legal Advice Clinic
Website URL: www.lsbu.ac.uk/legaladviceclinic
Email legaladvice@lsbu.ac.uk
University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic
E: lawclinic@westminster.ac.uk
Website URL: www.lsbu.ac.uk/legaladviceclinic
