Family Law

What is National Pro Bono Week?

National Pro Bono Week is an annual week to celebrate the contribution lawyers make, free-of-charge, to many people in acute need. It celebrates the pro bono legal work which is carried out by solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives throughout the year and provides thought leadership on pro bono topics through a series of panel discussions and events throughout the week. It is currently in its thirteenth year.

When is National Pro Bono Week?

National Pro Bono Week 2014 will commence the week of 3-7 November.

Who organises National Pro Bono Week?

National Pro Bono Week is organised by a committee, which is made up of interested parties from the legal sector and the third sector. It is supported by the Attorney General's Domestic Pro Bono Committee.

The Week is sponsored by the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).

How can I be involved?

You can attend one of the many events being run during the week. A timetable of the events can be found on the Law Society's National Pro Bono Week webpage.

You can also hold your own pro bono themed events. Please get in touch with rebecca.wilkinson@lawsociety.org.uk if you would like ideas about what events other organisations have run in previous pro bono weeks.

If you do chose to run your own event please let Rebecca know so we can include it on the NPBW Timetable in order to publicise your efforts and/or attract attendees.

Who can attend the events?

Unless an event is identified as invite only (usually for capacity reasons) then everyone interested in pro bono is most welcome. Previously, attendees have ranged from the most senior lawyers and government officials involved in pro bono to law students, as well as corporate CSR managers, law centre advisers, university lecturers and more.

Can I tweet about the week?

Yes! Please do. We will be using #NPBW14 and #WeDoProBono

What is Pro Bono Legal Work?

When we refer to Pro Bono Legal Work we mean legal advice or representation provided by lawyers in the public interest including to individuals, charities and community groups who cannot afford to pay for that advice or representation and where public and alternative means of funding are not available.

Legal work is Pro Bono Legal Work only if it is free to the client, without payment to the lawyer or law firm (regardless of the outcome) and provided voluntarily either by the lawyer or his or her firm.

Is Pro Bono Legal Work the same as Legal Aid?

No. Legal Aid is state funded legal work for individuals to provide advice and representation in legal proceedings. Pro Bono is only ever an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, Legal Aid.

How can I get more information?

Please contact Rebecca:
Rebecca Wilkinson
Pro Bono and Public Legal Education Policy Adviser
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL
t: 020 7316 5662
rebecca.wilkinson@lawsociety.org.uk

Download the Pro Bono Week Factsheet.