School of Law students champion community justice at Stephen Lawrence Day Showcase

First-year law students present innovative legal ideas to tackle inequality, with winning team recognised for hate crime reporting app.

On 29 April 2026, first-year law students from the University of Leeds School of Law marked National Stephen Lawrence Day with a Community Legal Showcase, presenting projects developed through their Legal Skills module. 

Held at the Reginald Centre in the Chapeltown area of Leeds, the event brought together students, academic staff, legal professionals and members of the local community to celebrate student-led ideas aimed at addressing real-world legal challenges. 

The highlight of the event was the awarding of the prestigious A&O Shearman Prize to the group judged to have delivered the strongest overall presentation. The judging panel included Professor Paul Johnson OBE, Executive Dean of the Faculty, Sualeha Sheikh from A&O Shearman, and representatives from the local community. 

The winning team; Peixuan Li, Melissa Morris, Nandini Pathak, Adriel Sarfo, Jun Zhou and Zheyu Tian, was recognised for their innovative proposal for a hate crime reporting app designed to improve accessibility and confidence in reporting incidents. 

The showcase was led by the School of Law’s Dr Nick Cartwright and formed part of the School’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and social justice, aligning with the values reflected in National Stephen Lawrence Day. 

Professor Paul Johnson OBE praised the event, saying: 

This event epitomised our collective commitment to undertaking activities that change the world for the good of all. It showcased the fantastic work of our students, demonstrating how they will apply their skills in the world to make a positive difference in people's lives. Inspirational!

The Community Legal Showcase provided a platform for students to demonstrate not only their developing legal knowledge, but also their ability to apply it in practical, socially impactful ways; highlighting the vital role of future legal professionals in building a more just society. 

Interested in making a difference through law? 

If you want to study for an undergraduate degree at the School of Law, head to our website to find out more.