Pro bono success in minimum wage case for Faculty FLSU and student law clinic
Free help from AM Advocates member Tim Young, acting as a volunteer Advocate has secured an award for a woman who was paid less than the national minimum wage.
Jacqueline Pelc, of Dunkeld, Perthshire, took her employer to an employment tribunal after her case was supported by the Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU), the pro bono unit, of the Faculty of Advocates.
At the hearing in Dundee, counsel Tim Young argued successfully that her pay had not met the hourly minimum wage rate, and the tribunal ruled in Mrs Pelc’s favour.
The FLSU takes on cases, referred to it by advice agencies, which are deemed deserving of help, but for which no other form of support, such as legal aid, is available.
Mr Young (pictured below) said: “The work of the FLSU helps right the balance where individuals would have otherwise had to face a professionally represented opponent on their own.
“The reward in doing such work lies not in the outcome but in helping that person present and argue their case in the best manner possible. I am more than glad if I have been able to help do that in this particular case.”
Dundee University Student Law Clinic and Perth Women’s Aid worked with the unit in Mrs Pelc’s case.
The case demonstrates how the legal community can come together to fill the gaps in the provision of legal services, according to Ayla Iridag, student director of the law clinic.
She said: “The success in this case, and in other pro bono cases highlights the importance of law clinic and pro bono services for the community.
“When the clinic and the free advice unit work together we can provide a high quality service to those in the community that are unable to afford such services elsewhere. It was also a great opportunity for our students to work with advocates and to gain valuable knowledge and skills from the experience.
“The clinic is an invaluable asset for law students and the community alike and I hope cases like this will increase awareness of projects like ours and the help we can provide. We have won a number of employment disputes including tribunals and have represented clients at small claims court as well as having held mediations for other types of cases.”
Mrs Pelc added: “Mr Young spent a great deal of time preparing my case. I would have found dealing with the tribunal very difficult indeed without his legal advice and representation.
“I would like to thank all at the Faculty of Advocates Free Legal Services Unit. The FLSU provides fantastic legal advice and support to people like me, who are not in a position to afford such professional legal support.”
