Do you feel passionately about access to justice?

Could you shape future strategy for public legal education and help us to achieve our mission?

Public legal education enables the public to understand the law. Increasingly, it is being recognised as an important element of access to justice. It helps people to understand that the problems they encounter in their daily lives may be legal issues, rather than just bad luck, and may have a legal solution. It gives the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to resolve problems and secure access to justice. PLE is a particularly important tool for reaching people in disadvantaged communities.

Law for Life was formed as a charity to lead public legal education in the UK. It runs the award winning Advicenow website which has a range of resources for individuals and for trusted intermediaries, including welfare rights advisors, lawyers and students at pro bono clinics. Law for life also provides education and training for community groups, advice workers and lawyers to help them understand the principles and application of public legal education. We are a partner in the national Litigant in Person Support Strategy, we conduct research with academic institutions into the theory and practice of public legal education and we have a growing international reputation.

As a member of the board you will be responsible for the overall direction, vision and strategy of Law for Life. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Treasurer to work alongside the Chair, Board and CEO to ensure sound growth, strategic development and the ability to manage scale.

As Treasurer, you will oversee all financial aspects of the charity on behalf of the board of trustees so as to ensure its short- and long-term viability.

Principal responsibilities:
• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and are within the charity’s objectives
• Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts, financial statements and financial reports to the Board of Trustees after discussion with the Chief Executive and Finance Officer
• Being instrumental in the development and implementation of appropriate financial, reserves policy and investment policies
• Assist the Chair, other honorary officers and the Chief Executive in ensuring that the board of trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity.

You will be a strategic thinker, and have the ability to innovate while demonstrating excellent judgement. You will share our commitment to social justice. We are looking to appoint individuals who share our values and would like to become involved. This role is voluntary and unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees will be expected to attend about 6 meetings and one away day each year and the overall time commitment is around one day a month.
If you would like any further information and application form please email mihaela.rosca@lawforlife.org.uk or telephone 020 3405 7106