National Pro Bono week brings profession together to honour free legal advice

Sponsored jointly by the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), National Pro Bono Week 2016 (Monday 7 to Friday 11 November) begins today, celebrating and highlighting the provision of free legal advice to those in England and Wales who would otherwise not be able to get the legal advice they need.

The annual week kicked off with news that the National Pro Bono Centre is launching an online service that will connect lawyers with organisations across England and Wales that provide pro bono services and need more legal experts. Other events during the week include: a presidential style debate on pro bono; an exploration of international pro bono work; Citizenship Foundation Taster Sessions; and a variety of quizzes. The full calendar of events is available here.

Law Society President Robert Bourns said: "Solicitors provided an estimated 1.4 million hours of pro bono legal advice to individuals, charities and community groups in England and Wales in 2015. All this free advice is given on a voluntary basis, reflecting solicitors’ commitment to their clients, the communities in which they live and work and to our wider society.”

Bar Council Chairman Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said: “A belief in the need to ensure access to justice for all in society is part of the Bar’s DNA. This commitment is reflected in the Bar's pro bono contribution. More than 3,600 barristers, including a third of all QCs, have volunteered to represent individuals on a pro bono basis through the Bar Pro Bono Unit.”

CILEx President Martin Callan said: "The CILEx Pro Bono Trust has its own pro bono project through which our members provide pro bono support in deserving cases. National Pro Bono Week provides an important platform for all lawyers to collaborate and celebrate their working relationship.”