Free Representation Unit

#WinOfTheWeek this week are our amazing student volunteers.

Each year they give thousands of hours of their time to represent clients who otherwise would be heading to daunting tribunal hearings alone.

Thanks to all our student volunteers!
#WeDoProBono #SVW2026

We look forward to welcoming our next set of volunteers in April and May.

You can't book on to this training yet.

#WeDoProBono

Check out these Bluesky follower stats: bluefacts.app/profile/free... Thanks to everyone who follows us here. We're also on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Please like and share our posts so that we can build supporters and ensure potential clients know about our service.

#WeDoProBono

One in five assessors have not had vital safeguarding training, despite years of DWP deaths One in five staff employed by contractors who carry out disability benefit assessments on the government’s behalf have not had vital safeguarding training, MPs have been told, despite years of deat…

One in five assessors have not had vital safeguarding training, despite years of DWP deaths
#DWP #Safeguarding #DeathsByWelfare
#Maximus #Serco #Ingeus #Capita #Atos
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/one-in-five-...

Simon Haywood, civil litigation pupil barrister at 3PB Barristers, has written for the Bournemouth & District Junior Lawyers Division on ‘Life After Your Law Degree: A Barrister's Guide’.

Please read more here: www.3pb.co.uk/life-after-y...

Kirsty Brimelow KC speaking from a wooden lectern with a large screen in the background

Good morning from a drizzly London for our first #BarCouncil meeting of 2026. Chair of the Bar @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social welcomes everyone to the meeting. We’ll be sharing highlights and key points in this 🧵

#WinOfTheWeek Our work in the Upper Tier tribunal is important for our clients, wider society, our volunteers and the judiciary.

To help us continue this work please donate at www.thefru.org.uk/donate

#WeDoProBono

Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.

No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.

Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Home Office lets rogue firms regain licences to sponsor migrant visas Employers targeted in a government ‘crackdown’ on abuse of the skilled work system are routinely being granted fresh approvals, Times analysis reveals

More than 1 in 10 employers stripped of their licence had it reinstated to continue hiring - and exploiting - migrants. Shameful. Is the Home Office operating with its eyes closed?

These employers must be fined, and that money must be used to compensate victims.

www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...

🎙️New Transform Justice Podcast episode out tomorrow!

In the meantime, have you listened to our most recent episode? @penelopegibbs.bsky.social and @robroballen.bsky.social look back through 2025: the reforms, debates and missed opportunities that shaped the year. 🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/374dde

Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update

Useful timeline of when different bits of the Employment Rights Act will take effect. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Looking for barristers/pupils for Kalisher Trust to participate in a mock trial on 25 February at Weavers Academy, Wellingborough and 26 February at The Bulwell Academy, Nottingham. Timing is 0930-early afternoon. Travel & small ex gratia payment available. DM me if you're free.

We're registered - see you all there!

#WinOfTheWeek

Thanks to Hafsah Begum and Sarah Bergstrom for agreeing to become our Vice-chairs. Thanks to Michael Fealy KC and Arthur Lau for agreeing to continue as Chair and Treasurer.

Always grateful to 39 Essex for their generous hosting of our meetings.

Sean Jones KC and Christopher Jeans KC special edition podcast episode | 11KBW The January episode of the 11KBW Employment Podcast is out now.  Christopher Jeans KC regales Sean Jones KC with tales of employment law across the decades, in…

Tolley’s Employment Handbook has its 40th edition this year. To celebrate I recorded a podcast with the great Chris Jeans KC about what it was like to be an employment lawyer in the late 70s/early 80s. I had a great time doing this. Likely a better time than you’ll have if you listen.

Some very sensible, practical recommendations here, and bigger picture thinking about rebuilding trust

In her latest blog, Hope Rea provides a clear guide to the Magistrates’ Court process for first-time defendants.

Read the full article via the link below.

www.olliers.com/news/the-mag...

#magistratescourt #guide #criminallaw

London Legal Walk 2026 - London Legal Support Trust - LLST Join the largest fundraising event in the legal calendar, the London Legal Walk on 28 June 2022

londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/l...

June might feel like a long time away, but registrations have opened for the London Legal Walk on 9 June.

We've signed up, come and join us for a great event on 9 June.

Huge thanks to @londonlegal.bsky.social as always for organising.

#WeDoProBono

Huge thanks to Serle Court Chambers. Please support FRU's work, it's a life saver to hundreds of people every year.

www.thefru.org.uk/donate

Huge thanks to Serle Court for this generous donation.

We receive no public funding and rely on the legal sector to keep us going.

To support free access to justice and training the next generation of pro bono lawyers please go to www.thefru.org.uk/donate.

#WeDoProBono

Oh, thanks, yes we agree wholeheartedly!

We hate to disagree with a trustee, but yes to this.

#WinOfTheWeek This week we received some incredible feedback about our legal officer Richard Gillingham.

We know that Richard does a fantastic job, it's great to hear just how much it meant to his client.

#WeDoProBono

How fantastic - congratulations, a life-changing intervention!

smoke is coming out of a laptop that says ' aaron ' on it ALT: smoke is coming out of a laptop that says ' aaron ' on it

Best wishes to all our aspiring pupil followers with your final pupillage application submissions by 23.59.

Remember to spellcheck and don't misname the chambers.

💼 If you’re self-employed your Universal Credit payments might change depending on how much you earn.

Each month, the Department for Work and Pensions checks if you’ve earned more or less than they expect you to earn.
Find out how this might impact you🔗
bit.ly/4b2jHTa

www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
New Senior President of Tribunals annual report published.

The report acknowledges the work of the ELAAS scheme and pro bono representation for applicants to the EAT by FRU volunteers.

Fantastic to hear the value of our work for the tribunal system.

#WeDoProBono

#WinOfTheWeek There is no easing into the year in our work for our clients. We're off to a flying start in 2026.

Thanks to all our volunteer advocates for their amazing work.

To donate to keep our work going please go to: www.thefru.org.uk/donate. You can make a difference today.

#WeDoProBono