Pro bono
Many barristers devote their time to pro bono work by:
- Providing legal advice or representation for free to those in need
- Volunteering their skills in another capacity e.g. careers advice in school
- Acting as a trustee or even coaching teams of students for mock trial competitions
What pro bono advice and representation does and doesn't do
Pro bono work is intended to help people who aren't eligible for state-funded legal assistance. It helps prevent some people from falling through the holes in the legal aid safety net.
It is not a substitute for legal aid; there is wide support within the legal profession for an increase in legal aid provision for those in need.
Pro bono work does not undermine the basic and essential statutory provision.
Barristers: are you considering pro bono work?
To join 4,500 barristers who volunteer with Advocate, the pro bono charity of the Bar, fill in the registration form to join the panel.
Barristers (in chambers and employed) can sign up from second six all the way to KC. Pick cases that suit your interests and expand your knowledge and skillset, or take work in a new practice area.
- Find out how to volunteer for Advocate
- Apply to volunteer for Advocate
- Explore Advocate’s partner schemes
- Explore other pro bono opportunities for lawyers
Pro Bono Week
We were proud to support Pro Bono Week. In 2025 we celebrated the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK, focussing on:
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The overall theme for 2025 set by the organising committee is Pro Bono in Action, within which there are 3 suggested sub-topics:
- Pro bono: Stories of impact – hear from the frontline about how pro bono lawyers transform lives and support charities to make a difference in our communities and abroad.
- Pro bono: win-win for professional & business development – develop skills, experience and a professional network, and an asset in recruitment and retention.
- Pro bono: Getting involved – advice and practical steps about how to start making a difference through pro bono.
Visit the Pro Bono Week website for more information.
Our pro bono blogs
Pro Bono Week 2025: celebrating the Bar’s commitment to justice for all
Rebecca Wilkie, the Chief Executive of Advocate, celebrates the pro bono work done by barristers, demonstrating that the profession cares deeply about ensuring justice is not just a privilege for the few.
Making pro bono part of my practice from the outset
Much of the attention is on the ‘big’ pro bono cases, but it is notable that even a few short hours on a relatively simple matter for a barrister can save vulnerable people huge amounts of time, money, and stress.
Pro Bono: Not just about “giving back”
In today’s socially aware legal world, taking on pro bono cases isn’t just about helping others. It is also a smart move for careers and chambers as a whole.
From visiting Zimbabwe’s orphanages to winning appeals in English courts: The foundation of my passion to pro bono
The profession needs your expertise, vulnerable clients need your advocacy, and you need the professional and personal growth that only this work provides
Pro bono advice and representation - part of being a barrister?
Ahead of the Bar's Pro Bono Awards, Sophie Cartwright KC explores why you should make pro bono a part of your practice.
Pro bono gave me many ‘firsts’ in my career – and can for you too
Sarah Abram KC discusses how how acting pro bono gave her a lot of ‘firsts’ in her career, from cross examining a witness to speaking in the European Court of Justice.
Pro bono and the silk road
Edward Lamb KC explores how the pro bono work he has undertaken helped him take silk.
The importance of pro bono work: a lifeline in challenging times
Barrister Liam Kelly, who has undertaken pro bono work since pupillage, explores the multifaceted benefits of pro bono work, both for clients and barristers.
The Bar Council established a dedicated committee to support policy pro bono work in 2016. If you want to contact the committee with a policy issue related to pro bono please get in touch.
The Bar Council's Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee is responsible for:
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Collecting (and communicating) information about the Bar (and individual barrister's) pro bono and social responsibility activity
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Working with partners to support pro bono and social responsibility activity (and tackle any barriers faced by barristers interested in pro bono work)
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Supporting pro bono and social responsibility charities
To achieve these objectives, the committee works closely with Advocate: The pro bono charity of the Bar.
Meet the committee co-chairs - Samantha Singer and Marina Faggionato
Samantha joined what was originally the Pro Bono Committee on its inception in 2015, through nomination by HHJ Susan Jacklin KC, who was then chair of the Family Law Bar Association. She took up the post of co-chair in 2023 alongside Laurie Scher, who reached the end of his term in 2024 and to whom the committee is very grateful. As Samantha said when she addressed the Bar Council meeting on Saturday 8 February 2025, co-chairing this committee is the best job at the Bar. The role provides unparalleled insight into the breadth and depth of the Bar’s pro bono work and the extraordinary community our profession offers. Marina has a long-standing commitment to pro bono (she took her first steps in court as a tribunal volunteer) and CSR and is honoured and delighted to be joining Sam to co-chair the committee at this important time.
- Signposting guides to pro bono and other free advice – the Attorney General’s new Pro Bono Committee jointly with the regional pro bono committees’ directories supports the legal profession’s voluntary provision of free legal to help those in need.
- Pro bono costs orders: the Access to Justice Foundation’s website has guides and templates as well as FAQs on applying for a pro bono costs order.
- Guide to Pro Bono for Movers and Returners - explains why pro bono work is useful for movers and returners and how you can get involved.
- Guide for KC applications: How pro bono work can assist when applying for silk - sets out ways senior barristers can derive experience relevant to silk applications through work with Advocate.
- Useful guides for pro bono work - Advocate has several guides available to help different groups from pupils to retiring lawyers get involved in pro bono work.
- Guidance on pro bono advocacy and judicial liaison - guidance for discussion between the Chairs of the Bar Council’s Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee with lead or resident judges at selected court centres with a view to commencing a pilot on pro bono barrister and judicial liaison.
- If you're already a panel member, browse the members’ area of Advocate’s website for a full list of pro bono cases in all areas of law that is updated every day. If you're not a panel member, fill in this form to join.
- Receive mentoring on cases you take on with Advocate through the Collaborate mentoring scheme.
- Strengthen your chambers' commitment to access to justice through The Chambers Pro Bono Framework.
- Become a Pro Bono Champion for your chambers, and help share pro bono news and initiatives from Advocate.
- Chambers professionals: explore the Guide for Pro Bono in Chambers, made in partnership between Advocate, the IBC and the LPMA and full of ideas and resources on how to build a pro bono ethos in your chambers.
- Keep up with the latest developments: sign up to Advocate’s monthly newsletter, or browse the news section of their website.
- For retired lawyers: The National Pro Bono Centre with Advocate and LawWorks has put together practical information explaining how to do pro bono work in retirement, as well as ways to give your time. Read the information for retiring lawyers.
- For pupils and supervisors: The Pro bono guide for pupils and supervisors is for pupils and their supervisors on providing pupils with experience in pro bono work.
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Index of Pro Bono 2024: This report from Thomason Reuters Foundation examines data received from 209 law firms in 123 jurisdictions, representing nearly 100,000 lawyers. It provides in-depth insights into the evolving global pro bono landscape.
Pro Bono Guide for Pupils and Supervisors
Guidance for pupils and supervisors for providing pupils with pro bono experience.
Are you a member of the public looking for pro bono legal support?
We cannot assist with requests for pro bono services from members of the public, but we can advise that you:
- read the guides to pro bono and other free advice
- contact the charity Advocate
- contact the Free Representation Unit (FRU)
Guides to pro bono and other free advice
Published with the endorsement of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, these guides provide advice about how to obtain or provide free legal support in England and Wales, and Scotland. This is a directory for individuals, advisors, charities, MPs, lawyers and others.
Contact the Advocate charity to find free legal assistance
Advocate finds free legal assistance from volunteer barristers. Visit Advocate's website to find out if a volunteer barrister may be available, or see their signposting to other sources of help.
Free Representation Unit (FRU)
For employment tribunals, benefit appeals, and criminal injury compensation, FRU provides free legal representation for members of the public based in London, the South East and Nottingham. Referral must be via an agency.