MORE than £1 millon has been earned for clients of the Kent Law Clinic this year as a result of successful litigation and negotiation by its law students.

Now their talents and those of the tutors have been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

The clinic has also been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award 2007 in the “outstanding contribution to the local community” category.

Based at the University of Kent, the clinic is honoured for “enriching the academic study of law through a casework service to the community.”

Law undergraduates, supervised by legally qualified academic staff, provide a free legal advice service in which they take on a case, carrying out interviews and advocacy.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize was established in 1993 by the Royal Anniversary Trust.

Awards are given biennially and highlight vital work taking place in higher and further education.

A prizewinner must be able to demonstrate outstanding work at world class level.

Director of the Kent Law Clinic, John Fitzpatrick, was awarded an OBE in 2004 for services to the administration of justice.

He said: “We are very honoured to receive such a prestigious award. The prize acknowledges a real team effort by all the staff and students in the clinic and all the solicitors and barristers locally who give their services.

“It reflects not only their achievements, but also the breadth and depth of our activities and it maintains a proud tradition at the Kent Law Clinic.”

Representatives from the clinic will receive the award at Buckingham Palace in February.