St. Hilda’s, together with two major law firms, Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and DLA Piper, were awarded the LawWorks ‘Best Partnership’ award for pro bono advice services – at a ceremony in central London attended by representatives of the legal world.

The presentation was made by Edward Fennell, Legal Editor of The Times newspaper. Competition for the prestigious award was stiff with other shortlisted finalists including national law firms and the civil rights organisation Liberty. A panel of independent judges decided that St. Hilda’s should receive the award together with DLA Piper and BLP – Sir Henry Brook (a QC and Judge), Edward Fennell (of The Times) and Andrew Holroyd (President of The Law Society).

The award was made for St. Hilda’s East Community Centre’s tripartite partnership with law firms Berwin Leighton Paisner and DLA Piper in providing community legal advice in west Tower Hamlets. A free legal advice service has been provided at St. Hilda’s community centre site in Club Row, Bethnal Green, for the last five years – with the involvement of volunteer staff from DLA Piper; while a second advice service has been running since last October with staff from BLP at St. Hilda’s second site in Sonali Gardens in Shadwell. This combined partnership service has been tremendously successful - well used by the community, with advice provided to countless individuals on money debt, benefits, housing and employment, as well as small claims and family law.

Receiving the award, Rupert Williams, Director of St. Hilda’s East, said: “This represents much deserved recognition of the fantastic commitment of volunteers from DLA Piper and BLP, assisting individuals in accessing their rights. It is also an excellent example of partnership working between voluntary groups and the private law sector for the benefit of the community.”

Heidi Newbigging, UK CSR Manager for DLA Piper said: "DLA Piper is delighted to win this award with St Hilda's East Community Centre and Berwin Leighton Paisner and it is testament to what can be achieved in partnership. DLA Piper has an extensive corporate social repsonsibility programme and has great pride in its legal advice clinic project with St Hilda's."

Alison Klarfeld, Berwin Leighton Paisner's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager said, "Everyone at the firm is thrilled to have won this award for our partnership with St Hilda's and DLA Piper just eight months after Sonali Gardens Legal Advice Service opened its doors.  We know that the service will go from strength to strength."

Details of the Legal Advice Service:

Sessions at St. Hilda’s community centre site in 18 Club Row, Bethnal Green, E2, are open each Tuesday between 6:00 and 8:00pm on a drop in basis. General advice can be given, including money debt, welfare benefits, housing and employment. Family law advice is also available – including divorce, transfer of tenancies and overseas marriages.

Sessions at St. Hilda’s second site at Sonali Gardens, 79 Tarling Street, Shadwell, E1, run on Wednesdays, also between 6:00 and 8:00pm on a drop in basis. Similarly, general advice is available, including housing, welfare benefits and debt advice, as well as small claims.

St Hilda’s aims to meet the diverse needs of the local community by providing good quality services that promote social inclusion, and help and empower individuals. In meeting these aims we will try to:

• Provide the highest standards of service
• Actively involve users in agreeing priorities and setting standards
• Make the best use of resources
• Continually monitor and improve our performance
• Achieve equality of opportunity at all stages of the Centre’s activities
• Monitor and develop staff to achieve their full potential
• Work in partnership with other organisations to pursue common objectives
• Work with and understand the needs of the clients and service users
• Be accountable for our actions
• Research the needs of the local community and learn from their diversity