LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group)
representation, LawWorks supports more ‘in-depth’ pro bono casework and representation, including training and supervising lawyers to develop expertise in areas of social welfare law. • Pro Bono Connect – a scheme that matches barristers and solicitors working together on civil law matters, for individuals, charities and community groups who can’t afford legal advice or representation. • Free Legal Answers – a website providing access to one-off or initial pro bono legal advice on a range of civil law matters, for individuals on low incomes (www.freelegalanswers.org.uk). Each year in December, LawWorks holds its Annual Pro Bono Awards, to celebrate the pro bono work of its member firms and highlight the outstanding impact that their commitment to access to justice has on our communities. Working together to achieve more In recent years, the support and coordination of pro bono in England and Wales has strengthened. Supported by LawWorks, the Law Society of England and Wales has produced a Pro Bono Manual (to support solicitors to develop or extend pro bono practice) and a Pro Bono Charter, encouraging the profession to make a public commitment to pro bono. In 2019, a group of in-house lawyers, supported by LawWorks and some in-firm pro bono coordinators, launched the UK In-house Pro Bono Group to foster a commitment to pro bono among the in-house community. This is one of many initiatives designed to enhance collaboration in the sector. In 2022, we’ve seen a number of regional pro bono roundtables take place, and from them a commitment to geographically-focused pro bono groups to help foster pro bono in different regions within England and Wales.
LawWorks encourages and supports the development of law school clinics and also organises the annual Student Pro Bono Awards, run in partnership with the Attorney General, with a ceremony held at the House of Commons. By recognising and celebrating student pro bono, the awards help to encourage an interest and passion that will last and grow. Pro bono for qualified lawyers Opportunities for pro bono volunteering continue during training, pupillage and qualifying work experience. Increasingly, aspiring lawyers see opportunities for pro bono as informing their career decisions. For many, pro bono is an essential part of being a lawyer. It can help to build skills and confidence, develop teams and team spirit, and offers the chance to test oneself as a lawyer, perhaps in a new environment or a different area of law. LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group. Established in 1997, it’s a charity providing support for local independent pro bono advice clinics and supporting the pro bono work of our members – largely law firms and in-house legal teams – and others. LawWorks’ programmes include the following: • The LawWorks Clinic Network – LawWorks supports a network of around 300 independent clinics across England and Wales, providing free advice to individuals, predominantly in areas of social welfare law (eg, housing, family and employment). Advice is delivered face to face, and remotely over the phone and using online platforms, including Zoom and Skype. • The Not-for-Profits Programme – LawWorks connects smaller charities and community groups with the skills and expertise of pro bono lawyers, strengthening their capacity and avoiding or resolving problems. • ‘Secondary specialisation’ – in response to growing need for legal advice and
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