This week the UK’s legal sector come together for Pro Bono Week.

This year's Pro Bono Week will focus on how pro bono lawyers can tackle some of the most prominent challenges the UK is facing. The cost-of-living crisis, which poses a threat to access to justice as well as household budgets, is the focus of the official launch event for the week of action starting on Mobday 7 November 2022. Other events this week will focus on how lawyers can work together to help combat climate change.

Pro bono work is legal advice or legal representation which is provided for free to those who cannot pay for legal services but are not eligible for legal aid.

Pro Bono Week seeks to recognise, showcase and raise awareness of the work of barristers, solicitors, and legal executives who help those in need. It also aims to encourage more legal professionals to undertake pro bono work.

Some examples of lawyers doing pro bono work include:

  • In March, a major law firm welcomed the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, following six years of supporting her husband Richard Ratcliffe on the case on a pro bono basis.
  • Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ukraine Advice Project, established to give UK lawyers the opportunity to support those fleeing the war in Ukraine, saw more than 600 immigration specialists volunteering pro bono to help those seeking refuge in the UK.
  • A major UK firm launched a cost of living advisory clinic, to provide pro bono help to those struggling as food and fuel prices surge, in partnership with local charities.

Data published by the Bar Council shows that 4,618 barristers provided pro bono help in the last year.

Mark Fenhalls KC, Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, said: “The annual Pro Bono Week offers the Bar Council the opportunity to celebrate and highlight the important role of barristers in helping those in need.

“While pro bono support can never adequately fill the gap in public provision of legal aid, it often provides a vital safety net for individuals and families who are struggling to secure legal advice and representation. I would like to encourage all my colleagues across the Bar to offer some of their time and expertise to pro bono work.”

Lubna Shuja, President of the Law society of England and Wales, said: “With the cost-of-living crisis leaving many people struggling, it is as vital as ever to shine a light on the important work lawyers do for free to help those in need of crucial legal advice.

“I encourage members of the legal profession to participate in events during Pro Bono Week and consider whether they too can volunteer.

“Of course, pro bono is not a substitute for legal aid. It is vital the justice system is properly funded and resourced so that access to justice is not determined by means or the lottery of whether you can find someone to help you on a charitable basis.”

The hastags for the week are #WeDoProBono and #ProBonoWeek