Chris King Expand With a background initially in the arts, and subsequently as a solicitor in private practice, Chris became a Lecturer in the School of Law at what was then the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) in 2003. He became Director of the University's then law clinic, the Free Representation Unit in 2004 and, as a Senior Lecturer, has been module leader for the placement-based Legal Advice & Representation Unit module on the LL.B. at Birmingham City University since 2008. In this capacity, Chris has acquired significant experience of working with pro bono organisations in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
Councillor Abdul Jobbar Expand Councillor Abdul Jobbar has been a councillor since May 2022. He is currently Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. He gained an undergraduate degree from University of Warwick in Politics, LLM (Law) from Coventry University and a post graduate diploma in law from Leeds Beckett University. He is currently studying for his LPC at the University of Law. He is also a Director of Coventry Bangladesh Centre and was previously Governor at Finham Primary School.
Councillor Linda Bigham Expand Councillor Linda Bigham was first elected to the Council in 2004 and has worked on various committees. As a Cabinet Member, Linda was glad to play a part in the successful bid for Coventry to become City of Culture 2021.She has also served as Chair of Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, was Lord Mayor of Coventry 2019/2020 and is currently Cabinet Member for Adult Services. Linda has welcomed the opportunity to be a Trustee or Director of various outside bodies including Coventry Law Centre, Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, Coventry City of Culture Trust, the Belgrade Theatre Trust and Whitefriars Board among others. She has been a governor at two local schools Linda is keen on local and family history, reading and writing poetry and nature conservation. Having lived and worked in Coventry since she got married at nineteen Linda has been glad that her roles in the community and Council have enabled her to give back to the City she loves which has given her so much.
Debbie Moss Expand Debbie is a refugee worker and translator working for the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre. She has previously worked and volunteered in Hungary, India and The Gambia in a variety of roles. Debbie was previously a trustee of the Acorn Centre, a Nuneaton counselling service for pregnancy-related issues. She has a BA in Language and Linguistics (specialising in German and Chinese) and diplomas in Commercial French and International Marketing. Debbie was motivated to join the Board of Trustees at the Law Centre so she can do more to support social justice and access to justice.
Dr Sarah Raistrick - chair Expand Sarah graduated from Imperial College London in 1999. Following a brief career in General Surgery she has worked as a GP since 2005. She has lived and worked in Coventry since 2014 where she is based with her vicar husband and three children. She is passionate about understanding the wider determinants of health and reducing health inequalities. She has a background in healthcare commissioning and works as a non-executive on several NHS boards and is co-chair of the Coventry Marmot Partnership and an NHS Fellow in Health Inequalities.
Graham Moffat - vice chair Expand Graham is a retired Associate Professor from the University of Warwick Law School and a Member of the Socio-Legal Studies Association. He is an expert in charity law.
Henry Whitney Expand Henry was enrolled as a solicitor in 1980 having joined Kundert solicitors in Coventry as a trainee two years earlier. He retired as senior partner of the firm in 2020 .
Lord Willy Bach - Patron Expand Lord Bach was created a life peer in 1998. He has held various front bench and government posts, including Shadow Attorney General and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, as well as serving as Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire from 2016 to 2021. He recently chaired the Bach Commission on Access to Justice. He is also a great-nephew of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
Thomas Bannister Expand Thomas is a Chartered Accountant, qualifying with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 2019. He has principally worked in the assurance industry, gaining experience in both the private and charitable sector. Thomas is currently pursuing a further degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.