Essex Law Clinic Supervisor appointed to influential committee

A key figure in the development of Essex Law Clinic has been appointed to The Law Society’s Family Law Committee.

Liz Fisher-Frank, a Law Clinic Supervisor and Lecturer in the School of Law, brings many years’ experience in social welfare law, in particular, family law, care proceedings and children’s rights.

She has also worked for a number of charities aimed at improving access to justice and has set up and managed legal services for vulnerable young people.

Liz Fisher-Frank said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to this specialist committee at a time when so many people, due to the devastating cuts in legal aid, face huge obstacles in accessing essential advice in family law. I am really looking forward to taking an active role on the committee."

Professor Donald Nicolson, Director of Essex Law Clinic, said: "We are delighted to hear that Liz’s skills and experience have been recognised in this way and thrilled that the Law Society will benefit from her awareness of working with those facing difficulties due to the increasing problems of achieving access to justice.”

The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. The Society’s responsibilities include “driving excellence in the profession” and “protecting everyone’s right to have access to justice.”

The Family Law Committee’s role is “to keep under review, and to promote improvements in, family law, practice and procedure, including child care law and procedure; to review and advise on the role, design and operation of any relevant accreditation schemes.”

Committee members help to formulate policy, as well as advising on a range of other areas.

Penny Scott, Chair of the Law Society of England and Wales’ Family Law Committee, said: “We are delighted to welcome Liz Fisher-Frank to the Family Law Committee. Liz brings with her many years of experience in family, children’s and social welfare law. I look forward to working with her to promote the hard work of our profession and resolve the issues facing our family justice system.”

Liz Fisher-Frank took up her position on the Family Law Committee on 1 September. She was previously a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and its Children Law Sub Committee.