On the 9th of June 2025, student representatives from Royal Holloway, University of London led two workshops at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) Griffin Centre. These workshops focused on personal injury law and family law. They are part of Royal Holloway University’s Street Law Programme, run by the university’s Legal Advice Centre, which aims to make law more accessible and easily understandable. We are very grateful to the students for taking the time to come and share their knowledge on these important topics. We are also very grateful to have been joined by Thanh Pham, the Director and Supervising Solicitor of the Legal Advice Centre.
The first workshop shed light on some of the fundamental aspects of personal injury law. Personal injury law is a mechanism allowing people to obtain compensation through legal processes when they have been injured through no fault of their own. During the workshop, themes such as the importance of personal injury law, the types of compensation that can be received and the logistics of making a claim were covered. It was highlighted that personal injury law falls under the umbrella of civil law because it deals with disputes to protect the rights of the parties involved, as opposed to punishing offenders who have broken the law. It was also emphasised that claims of £50,000 or less are dealt with by the County Court in comparison to those of a higher value, which are dealt with by the High Court.
Personal injury law claims refer to the process taken by the claimant seeking compensation. Common claims include road traffic accidents, accidents at work, and trips, slips, and accidents in public places. Claims up to the value of £25,000 can be filed online with the Ministry of Justice’s Claims Portal. Claims can also be filed to go through court. The claimant can receive compensation for general damages – such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life – and/or special damages, such as loss of earnings, medical expenses, and property damage. It was noted that it is important to make claims as soon as possible to allow for more time to gather relevant evidence to support the case. This, in turn, makes it more likely for a solicitor to take on the case due to ‘no win, no fee’ policies in place.
The second workshop was centred around family law. Topics covered included the basics of family law, marriage and separation, cohabitation and domestic violence. The processes of getting married and entering into a civil partnership were explained, covering elements such as eligibility criteria and the role of the registry office. Similarly, the process of divorce was explained, including fees charged and how to make an application. An important point that was raised is that there are specific measures that need to take place during a separation of a couple that has children.
An introduction to some of the key aspects of legal aid was also provided. It was explained that legal aid exists to help people meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation, and representation in court (amongst many other things). In order to receive legal aid, you will need to show that your case is eligible for legal aid and that you cannot afford to pay for legal costs associated with your case. It was mentioned that an independent body called the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service exists who can assist with family court proceedings to help ensure outcomes that are in the best interests of the child.
ACAA staff, volunteers and beneficiaries all participated in the sessions, with a Farsi interpreter helping more of our community understand and engage with the topics. Overall, the workshops were very informative. We are very appreciative of all those involved in the Street Law Programme and look forward to future workshops.
Written by: Ruth Beecroft