Get ready to celebrate Pro Bono Week 2024
Lawyers who provide free legal help to those who could not otherwise access it shine at this year’s Pro Bono Week (4 to 8 November).*
The 23rd annual celebration recognises the outstanding voluntary contributions made by legal professionals across the UK.
They offer free legal advice to those who could not otherwise afford it and do not qualify for legal aid.
Pro Bono Week 2024 launches on Monday 4 November with the solicitor general Sarah Sackman and advocate ceneral for Scotland, Catherine Smith KC hosting a panel discussing how pro bono can truly change lives.
The solicitor general is also hosting a panel discussion on how young lawyers can include pro bono work in their practice.
President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Richard Atkinson said: “The Law Society is proud to be taking part in celebrating once again Pro Bono Week and all the incredible and selfless work lawyers do to help vulnerable people access justice when they need it the most.
“We would also like to encourage more members of the legal profession to consider ways they can help make a real difference in people’s lives.
“The remarkable work displayed this year includes helping refugees at immigration tribunals, supporting individuals with housing issues, providing bereavement support for families, helping victims of modern slavery and many more.
“We commend these law firms and solicitors for providing free legal advice and support.”
President Richard Atkinson continued: “Everyone has the right to access justice, but pro bono work and other volunteer projects cannot help everyone. Likewise, lawyers who volunteer their time to do this work should not be taken for granted.
“Whilst pro bono can truly change lives, it is not and can never be a substitute for legal aid and a properly funded justice system.”
Eliot Cohen, solicitor at Clifford Chance LLP who volunteered at the Refugee Law Clinic,** describes an impactful case he worked on: “It was incredibly rewarding to work closely with clients at the clinic and see firsthand how advocacy directly facilitates access to justice for individuals, while also seeing them experience life-changing positive legal outcomes.
“In one case, we assisted an older, vulnerable woman who had been trafficked into the UK and exploited multiple times both in the country of origin and upon arrival in the UK. Our role was to secure a reconsideration of her trafficking status and submit a fresh claim for asylum which resulted in securing her refugee protection."
Sam Colman, trainee solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, who has taken part in a housing law clinic with South West London Law Centres*** as part of his training contract said: “We had a call with a client, they came to us very distressed and tearful about various housing issues they were having. It was about a potential eviction, and they wanted to know their rights.
“We prepared a full letter of advice and received some great feedback from them. I was happy we were able to help through such a stressful time in their life.”
Notes to editors
Pro Bono Week is organised by a committee that includes representatives from legal professional bodies, pro bono charities, law schools and law firms.
It aims to encourage members of the legal profession and law students to volunteer their time, as well as highlighting pro bono work and promoting best practice.
This year, the Law Society is hosting a roundtable with LawWorks to discuss the Major Incidents Response Plan.
This project aims to provide a collaborative approach to offering pro bono help to those affected by major incident.
Also, the week will include events focusing on one main theme (the power of pro bono) and three sub themes including:
- barred from justice
- embedding pro bono into your organisation
- how technology can enhance access to justice
**The Refugee Law Clinic provides legal advice for asylum seekers in the UK, seeking to issue fresh claims of asylum on the basis of important new factors including changed circumstances and additional evidence.
***South West London Law Centres, provides support to clients through one off legal advice clinics, including clients who are facing private rented sector housing issues.
Events calendar: Pro Bono Week 2024 UK
Read more about Pro Bono Week 2024
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
Press office contact: Kelis Edwards | 020 3657 0144