Iain Service

Iain Service had just moved to the North-East of Scotland after living and working in different parts of England for over 20 years when he decided to return to study and do a Law Degree with the OU. Little did he know that six years later he’d end up graduating with a first-class honours degree and an Open Justice Centre Award under his belt – not to mention plans to continue volunteering with the OU’s Open Justice Centre.

Since completing four Scottish Highers in 1982 he’d dipped his toes back into study here and there with professional qualifications in banking and project management. But, having discovered a personal interest and passion for Law, he decided to enrol with the OU.

“I have always enjoyed Law, having encountered the practical application in my business career – plus it was a mandatory requirement in my professional banking exams,” he said. “I chose the OU because I was looking for the ability to study flexibly in view of potential travel distances to traditional brick universities, coupled with some long-term health issues. The flexibility was particularly important to me as my long-term health conditions meant that at times I had to rest.”

Iain first discovered the Open Justice Centre when he volunteered for an Open Justice extra-curricular project in 2019.

“Having the opportunity to assist real clients pro bono, with real legal issues, needing real solutions across a range of areas of law – as well as working with great, likeminded, teammates through the Open Justice Centre – is something that I would recommend to every OU law student.  

“I was fortunate to work with a great, small team of students who were extremely committed and supportive of each other. We worked on a range of projects with some really interesting issues faced by clients in a wide range of areas of law including contract, private prosecution, benefits including appeals and child support, probate-related issues, and environmental law,” he said.

“In September 2021 I had the opportunity to become involved in the newly formed Open Justice Centre Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) led by Emma Curryer. We were looking at the potential for appeals by people convicted of really serious offences, who maintained their innocence or believed their sentences were excessive. My role was to act as the ‘big brother’ to groups of students who had volunteered to be involved, supporting them using the online case management system and contributing to the training and weekly supervision sessions.”

He took on the challenge whole-heartedly and later received the Special Open Justice Centre Award for his work, thanks to his excellent collaboration efforts and his work in gathering the team to produce reports. Emma said he was diplomatic, brilliant at dealing with problems and consistently proactive.

Iain said: “I was both surprised and delighted to win! To be recognised for providing an outstanding contribution for something you enjoy doing is humbling.

“Working with the Open Justice Centre has been the most fulfilling part of my studies. The support provided by Francine Ryan and her team – especially those in the background – and advice provided by outside solicitors has been outstanding.

“Emma Curryer and the CJC Associate Lecturers (currently qualified solicitors and highly experienced criminal practitioners in both prosecution and defence) and the students have been great to work with. All are passionate about the subject of criminal appeals and giving people who are in prison a voice – even if we aren’t always able to identify grounds for an appeal.”

Iain is staying on with the Open Justice Centre in a voluntary capacity and said: “I plan to focus on continuing pro bono legal work with the OU. I am delighted to be continuing my support for CJC students going forward.”

Throughout his studies, Iain was motivated by his wife, his tutors and the Open Justice team.

“My wife Julie was extremely supportive and understanding … I couldn’t have done it without her,” he said. “I was also inspired by my tutors in each of the modules who delivered excellent tutorials and very high-quality assignment feedback that enabled me to focus on continually improving, and by several students across the modules who were very supportive of each other. Finally, I was inspired by the Open Justice Team led by Francine Ryan.

“Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a major illness in my final year which could have led me to give up (or at least push back a year). However, with the support of my wife, my tutors, Student Services and my excellent hospital consultant, I was able to keep going despite some challenging times – fortunately things are going in the right direction now for which I’m very grateful.”

Iain says the OU has benefitted him in multiple ways including gaining new skills, refreshing existing ones, and expanding and deepening his knowledge.

“The best element of my studies has been learning – supported by the online materials and my tutors, about the various areas of law – and getting the opportunity to understand the key components of each,” he said.

“The most challenging aspect has been keeping going and handling the inevitable ups and downs of motivation levels as I studied part-time over six years.

“I think the most improved area has been critical thinking, coupled with looking at both sides of the equation in any issue and weighing this up – and being able to communicate this effectively.”

To anyone thinking of studying with the OU, Iain says: “Getting a degree from the OU is a great thing for you and your current and future employers. It represents a serious commitment from you as a student and the ability to manage many competing demands on your time.

“Pick a topic you are really interested in, have a really good – but flexible – plan for your module studies as life does get in the way at times. You will have excellent support from your course materials, tutors, the OU Library etc. so go for it, you won’t regret it!”