Strengthening Cumbria's Lawyer workforce: MoU signed between University of Cumbria and Bendles Solicitors

Leaders from the University of Cumbria and Carlisle-based Bendles Solicitors have this week attended a ceremony at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus to sign an agreement to formalise the organisations’ ongoing partnership.

The organisations will engage in this collaboration principally for the benefit of students enrolled on the university’s LLB Law programme, which is the North West's Top Law School according to the Guardian League Tables 2022.

Those in attendance included University of Cumbria’s Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL, Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience in the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership Ashleigh Hunt, Bendles Solicitors’ Managing Partner John Stevenson and Bendles’ Associate and Head of Trainees Hannah Smith. They were joined by Iain Stainton, Principal Lecturer in Criminology, Policing and Law, and the Law programme team from the university.

Credit: University of Cumbria

(L-R: University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL, University of Cumbria Programme Lead for Law in Carlisle Fiona Boyle, University of Cumbria Programme Lead for Law in Lancaster Dan Ritchie, University of Cumbria Institute of Industry, Business and Leadership Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Ashleigh Hunt, Bendles Solicitor's Managing Partner John Stevenson, Bendles Solicitor's Associate and Head of Trainees Hannah Smith and University of Cumbria Principal Lecturer in Criminology, Policing and Law Iain Stainton)

University of Cumbria's Head of Teaching, Learning and Student Experience in the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership Ashleigh Hunt said:

"In partnership with Bendles, we are creating valuable opportunities that bridge the gap between education and industry. Through placements, conferences, and knowledge sharing, this partnership not only enhances professional development and graduate outcomes but also aims to support recruitment in legal and professional services across the region.

"Aligned with the University of Cumbria’s T2030 Strategy, it delivers real-world impact and empowers future legal professionals to thrive."

Some of the mutually beneficial initiatives agreed in this MoU, which primarily relate to the educational, employment and engagement strengths of the respected institutions, include:

• an annual reception at Bendles for staff and students from the university
• the sharing of articles which might be used/embedded into the delivery of the university’s Law programmes
• joint engagement in the annual Law Conference at the university
• placement opportunities for two to three law students from the university with Bendles
• the establishment of a graduation prize to be awarded annually in July in the name of Bendles.

With the two organisations working together, it is the hope Bendles will benefit from engagement with students who could, one day, become part of the region’s workforce while the University of Cumbria will continue to maintain and improve key metrics associated with graduate outcomes and student experience.

WATCH: Fiona Boyle explaining the importance of this MoU on our students and graduates. 

Bendles Solicitors’ managing partner, John Stevenson, (pictured right with the university's Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL) said:

“Bendles solicitors is delighted to be working with the University of Cumbria. It is really important that we see a steady interest from law graduates in pursuing legal careers. This is vital to ensuring local law firms are able to train and retain quality students who will go on to ensure the legal profession and clients are well served. Having a university providing a law course is so important.

“Bendles already employ five graduates from the university and offer placements to students to give them some early experience. Working with the university is therefore of great value to the firm.”

WATCH: John explaining the impact of this MoU on the region. 

ENDS