Access all areas for Law students on rugby pro bono scheme

A group of lucky Law students were recently granted a behind the scenes pass at Cardiff’s home of rugby, the Principality Stadium.

Rhodri Lewis, Head of Legal Affairs at the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), welcomed the group to the stadium, who are the latest cohort of students to be part of the School’s ‘Law in Sport’ pro bono scheme. Working in partnership with the WRU, our students provide a free initial legal advice service to Welsh rugby clubs in English or in Welsh. The scheme is supported by law firm Hugh James and by Civitas barristers' chambers and was launched in November 2012.

Students work under staff supervision to provide much-needed legal advice to amateur clubs and the visit to the stadium was an opportunity for the WRU to thank them for their hard work. New Head of School and keen sports fan René Lindstädt also joined the group to meet key representatives from the WRU including the CEO Martyn Phillips.

While at the stadium Rhodri Lewis and Professor Julie Price, Head of Pro Bono, gave a presentation on the history of the partnership with the School and outlined future plans for expansion. This was followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium which included the all-important Home changing room and a fleeting glimpse of Sam Warburton on his way to a training session!

Professor Price said of the visit, “The scheme is an innovative way for our students to learn about the law at the same time as helping clubs and their communities. Since 2012, we have dealt with 40 enquiries from clubs on a range of issues. Some aspects of running a club, often relating to legal liability, are a recurring theme. We hope that we can soon take our partnership to the next level by expanding the scheme to enable us to offer extended practical assistance relating to these issues”.