Rettssenteret is a non-profit foundation that offers free legal aid and provides information on legal rights to anyone in need. They have branches in several cities across the country, including Lillehammer.
The Lillehammer branch was established and is run by law students from INN University. Now, their work has gained recognition.
"This means a lot to us! We do this work on a voluntary basis and have no funds, so a contribution like this enables us to do so much more," says Felix Fønhus, the happy head of Rettssenteret in Lillehammer.
Have ambitions
A very pleased group of law students welcomed André Winje Arntzen, Head of Marketing and Communications at Sparebank 1 Gudbrandsdal, to Storhove on Wednesday morning.
He brought with him a check for 10,000 kroner for the legal aid providers.
“We think this is a fantastic initiative and wanted to support an effort dedicated to helping people. These are students willing to dedicate their time to assisting individuals who might not be able to get help elsewhere. We believe it’s great that such a service exists,” says Arntzen.
The Legal Aid Centre in Lillehammer launched in January of this year. So far, they have spent a great deal of time making their presence known. They have visited upper secondary schools throughout the region, made themselves visible in the town, and spread information about the services they offer.
The bank places no conditions on how the funds they provide are to be used; that is entirely up to the students themselves. A portion of the funds will be used to continue raising awareness of the service.
"The ambition is to further develop the operation in Lillehammer. In the long term, we aim to build a strong local legal aid service," explains Felix Fønhus.
More money may be coming
Following a recruitment effort this autumn, the Legal Aid Centre in Lillehammer now has 14 law students volunteering.
According to André Winje Arntzen, this is a welcome service.
“In this region, just as elsewhere in the country, there are people facing challenges who may lack the resources required to hire a lawyer. An accessible, low-threshold service – both for the general public and for those who need it most – is a fantastic thing.”
– What does receiving these funds mean to you, Felix?
"We see the support from Sparebank 1 Gudbrandsdal as an important recognition of the work being done in Lillehammer, and we also hope that this connection can lay a solid foundation for future collaboration."
And the bank is leaving the door ajar for exactly that, according to Arntzen.
"If this turns out to be a success, and something our local communities actually need, then we can certainly contribute more funding down the line!