National Pro Bono Week highlights work done by profession to promote access to justice
updated on 02 November 2015
The legal profession’s annual celebration of the important work done in the pro bono sphere has launched, as National Pro Bono Week begins today and runs until 6 November. Events during the week highlight the contribution of lawyers engaged in pro bono and raise awareness of pro bono opportunities and issues.
National Pro Bono Week is sponsored by the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Events during the week include:
- a panel discussion with legal regulators entitled, “Is regulation killing Pro Bono?”;
- a series of Spark Talks hosted by Afua Hirsch, social affairs and education editor at Sky News and a former Guardian correspondent; and
- an evening with Baroness Lawrence OBE, speaking about the role of pro bono and the impact that pro bono lawyers had on her family's legal battle to secure justice for her murdered son, Stephen.
Law Society president Jonathan Smithers said: “The legal profession is committed to providing free legal advice to many of the most vulnerable people in our society who would not be able to access legal help in any other way, particularly given the significant reduction in the number of people entitled to legal aid. We know of no other profession doing so much. All this free advice is given on a voluntary basis reflecting lawyers' commitment to the communities in which they live and work and to our wider society.”
David Edwards, president of CILEx, said: “Once a year we take time to highlight the work of lawyers who day in and day out use their skills to support vulnerable people through the toughest times in their lives for no pay or reward.” Chairman of the Bar Council, Alistair MacDonald QC, added: “The Bar’s pro bono contribution is both significant and vital to those in need of legal support. More than 3,600 barristers are on the Bar Pro Bono Unit’s volunteer panel, and nearly half of all barristers voluntarily contribute substantial funds to the unit each year.”
The full list of events is available here and, unless otherwise stated, are open to all.
