Pro Bono Matters

1 November 2007

A nationwide campaign to celebrate the range and impact of free services (pro bono) provided by lawyers, often in collaboration with other professionals also acting free, will be launched on Monday 12 November at the start of the sixth National Pro Bono Week.

Solicitors, barristers, legal executives, law students and other professionals regularly give free advice to meet unmet need, at law centres and clinics across England and Wales.

In the past twelve months, solicitors in private practice alone have given £338 million worth of free advice.  This very significant figure does not include the contribution made by in-house solicitors and other legal professionals including barristers, legal executives and paralegals, and so the total value of the pro bono work undertaken by lawyers is much higher.

This year the focus is on international pro bono and law students' involvement in pro bono projects.

There are more than 30 events nationwide, which feature the range of pro bono services regularly on offer with law firms, law students, community centres and other professionals offering free advice sessions.

Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, said: “This week celebrates the remarkable amount of pro bono work undertaken by all parts of the profession, from law students through to senior partners. The common feature in National Pro Bono Week is the willingness of lawyers put something back into the community."

“It also highlights the tremendous amount of support available for members of the legal profession who are interested in getting involved in pro bono work.  The website, www.probonouk.net, is an excellent source of information on accessing free legal advice. It is important to remember that pro bono is not a replacement for a legal aid system adequately funded by Government.”   

Lesley Graham, President of the Institute of Legal executives [ILEX], said: 
“Giving something back to the community through Pro Bono work has been a time honoured tradition and an important part of being a lawyer." 

“The Institute of Legal Executives wholeheartedly supports Pro Bono Week and the first Joint National Pro Bono Conference. This unique conference which brings together the legal sector, the voluntary sector and academia represents an excellent opportunity for anyone involved with or thinking of becoming involved with Pro Bono work to get together to debate, to learn, to exchange views and to explore the challenges that lie ahead in this increasingly important area.”

Geoffrey Vos, Bar Council Chairman, said: "Barristers and Bar students undertake pro bono work in a huge variety of areas.  They act through the Free Representation Unit and the Bar Pro Bono Unit for those who are otherwise unable to obtain legal representation.  But they are also extremely active on the world stage in promoting human rights and the rule of law across continents.  The Bar Council puts the encouragement of pro bono activity at the top of its agenda."

Alexandra Marks, partner at LinkLaters and National Chair of ProHelp, said: "Pro bono support is a lifeline for many community and charitable organisations who simply cannot afford to pay for professional services.  Professional firms working collaboratively to provide pro bono support have an immense impact by working together to serve the needs of their communities.  The majority of firms don't publicise their pro bono work, so National Pro Bono Week is essential to help raise awareness of their collaborative work - free of charge - for the benefit of communities across the UK.  In turn, we hope to raise awareness by voluntary groups that this support is available to them and, of course, we aim to encourage other professional firms to get involved too."