James Williamson and other Memorial Funds

Public benefits

Purpose 1 The first objective is to make provision for awards to students for achievement in examinations held by the Society or Institute or for proficiency in debating. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose are prizes and awards made to top performing students of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at the Queen’s University of

Belfast and the Graduate Law School at the University of Ulster at Magee. The benefits are evidenced through the high calibre of students who attend both centres of learning. The beneficiaries are apprentice solicitors. However indirectly it is the wider profession and public which benefits from the high calibre of student joining the profession. Purpose 2 The second objective is to make financial provision (including the costs of travel) for special educational lectures or talks to be given to students or aiding or assisting any organisation of students or recently qualified solicitors or any member or members thereof having the object of promoting their education, expertise or development in the profession or the study of law or its practice. The direct benefit which flows form this is the provision of legal study courses for students or newly qualified members of the profession. The benefits are evidenced through the high calibre of students entering the profession and ensuring the continued growth of the profession. The beneficiaries are members of the solicitor profession who having received the training are better equipped to discharge their professional responsibilities. Indirectly the public benefits through an improved service from the profession.

What your organisation does

The trust operates under the governance of its deed of trust to ensure that provision is made for the advancement of legal education. The trustees make awards in furtherance of these aims.