We are celebrating two decades of supporting Cardiff University’s Pro Bono programme, with this year’s student cohort equalling last year’s record number.
[Photo of the students at Hugh James Cardiff headquarters]
The final session of this year’s programme was hosted at our Cardiff headquarters, where students also heard from former participants now working at the firm, alongside insights on building a career in law.
Cardiff University’s Pro Bono activities began in 2005, with the Innocence Project. There is now a wide-ranging portfolio of clinical legal education opportunities designed to build Law students’ confidence, capability and employability through practical legal experience.
The NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme, delivered in partnership by Hugh James and the School of Law and Politics, is the second longest running Pro Bono scheme, having been established in 2006.
We have supported the scheme since its introduction, hosting students each year and providing mentoring, training and close supervision from volunteer legal experts, including many colleagues from across the firm.
Record number of applicants in 2026
In 2026, a record 131 Cardiff University students applied for the scheme with 80 of them successfully securing places on our Pro Bono Scheme, working alongside former students Katie Morgan and Rebecca Morgan from the firm’s specialist Nursing Care team to gain first-hand experience of how cases are progressed in practice.
Delivered in partnership with Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics, the initiative has now supported thousands of future legal professionals with practical insights into legal work and professional skills development.
The scheme is designed around practical exercises that reflect real-life legal scenarios, helping students develop key skills including case assessment, drafting and presenting arguments in a simulated legal environment.
Putting law into action and widening access to opportunity
We are particularly proud that the scheme gives students practical exposure to the sensitive issue of NHS funding for care home fees, with a focus on NHS Continuing Healthcare claims. Students develop client-focused skills and learn the rhythms of day-to-day legal practice which is experience they take forward into their careers.
Lisa Morgan, Partner and Head of our Nursing Care team, has been the scheme’s supervising solicitor since it began in collaboration with Cardiff University and said:
“This has been our most successful year yet, with over 130 students applying and 80 participating in the scheme. I am incredibly impressed by the dedication, enthusiasm, and exceptional talent demonstrated by the students. It has been a pleasure to welcome the students to our office once again, and it fills me with pride to witness the next generation of lawyers in action.”
She added:
“I can’t quite believe it has been two decades since the Pro Bono Scheme began as we partnered with the University back in 2006. It is always fantastic to welcome the students to our Cardiff city centre office and I look forward to following their future careers. I’m delighted to see so many students from the Pro Bono Scheme go on to become Trainees, and even Partners, here at Hugh James.”
The ongoing commitment
Our partnership with Cardiff University is one of the many ways the firm continues to invest in developing legal talent, supporting communities and strengthening the future of the profession. From volunteering on clinics to hosting student placements, our lawyers will continue to back programmes that align legal education with the needs of clients and communities.
Hannah Marchant, Lecturer and Director of Employability at the School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University, said:
“The School of Law and Politics is hugely grateful to Hugh James for hosting the final pro bono session at their offices in Cardiff. Giving students the chance to spend time with legal professionals in a working office environment is incredibly valuable, providing them with practical insight into the profession and a better understanding of the opportunities available to them. This is especially meaningful for students who may not have personal contacts in the legal sector, helping to broaden access and inspire confidence as they begin to think about their own career paths.
The knowledge and skills students acquire through participating in this pro bono scheme are hugely beneficial. We are immensely grateful for the continued support, guidance and inspiration provided by Lisa and her team and we look forward to working with them again next year.”
Find out more
To explore the full story with Cardiff University over the past 20 years, take a look at their recent report or read a deep dive into some of the success stories growing careers from within the firm.
To find out more about the Pro Bono scheme, take a look at our dedicated page.
