The Lady Chief Justice, The Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, officially opens the new Coventry office of Central England Law Centre (CELC)

From left to right: Julie Nugent, chief executive of Coventry City Council; Claire Stern, deputy chief executive of Central England Law Centre; Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Coventry City Council; Lord Bach, patron of Central England Law Centre; Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales; Dr Sarah Raistrick, chair of Central England Law Centre, Douglas Wright MBE DL, High Sherriff of the West Midlands 

On January 22nd, we were honoured to welcome Baroness Carr, the most senior judge in England and Wales to our new offices.  

The Law Centre’s new office is conveniently located opposite Coventry Combined Court, and the opening event was attended by senior local judges. The site is intended to be the home of Central England Law Centre’s Coventry branch for the next ten years at least. The Law Centre also operates a branch in Tyseley, Birmingham. 

During her visit the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales hailed the Law Centre’s professional contribution, of helping people along in their legal careers and strengthening the social welfare law profession. Central England Law Centre’s 45-strong legal team includes 11 trainee solicitors and 8 solicitors who qualified with the Law Centre. The Law Centre’s CEO, Elayne Hill, is also a sitting employment judge and seven other past team members have gone on to become judges. 

Next year, Central England Law Centre will celebrate 50 years of supporting local people to access justice. Its patron, former justice minister Lord Bach, has reflected on this legacy at the event. 

Key to the Law Centre’s origin and continuing success is its partnership with the local council. Chief executive of Coventry City Council, Julie Nugent, spoke of this background and of the council’s support for the Law Centre. 

Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, said: 

‘One of the most pressing and critical priorities of our justice system is ensuring fair and equal access to justice.

‘And here is where this wonderful Law Centre comes in. It has never wavered from its focus on improving individual lives of those in the communities that it serves.’ 

Dr Sarah Raistrick, chair of Central England Law Centre, said: 

‘Central England Law Centre’s new centrally located office is a symbol of its flourishing partnerships. The Law Centre is at the heart of an advice ecosystem which educates people about their rights, helps people to access them, and works to build a better society by changing the law. We are excited to build on our success in this new chapter.’ 

Image credit: Central England Law Centre