Deriving from the Latin pro bono publico, meaning ‘for the public good’, the idea of providing free legal advice has been ingrained in the legal profession for centuries.

In 1594 the Lord Chief Justice explained to newly qualified barristers that the “two tongues” of linen hanging from counsel’s shirt collars in court “signifie that as you should have one tongue for the rich for your fee… so should you also have another tongue as ready without reward to defend the poor and oppressed.” Traditionally done in a very British, understated way in the UK, the past decade has seen the rise of structured pro bono programmes at law firms, sets of chambers, law schools and universities. Bringing these all together, ProBonoUK.net was started in 2003 and is the most comprehensive resource on pro bono activities in the UK. 2011’s National Pro Bono week will run from 7th to 11th November.

Why participate?

In 2010, the UK's legal aid scheme faced the harshest cutbacks since its inception in 1949. 2011 saw a few not-for-profit legal advice centres going into administration. Involvement in some form of pro bono or volunteering work is becoming increasingly important, not just because there are people out there who need your help, but now more than ever pro bono experience is a clear winner with recruiters. If you have something to put on your CV it will push you closer to the front of the queue for training contracts and pupillages. It’s not just prospective trainees and pupils who benefit: 2009’s LawWorks Choices scheme for unemployed lawyers saw £1m of free advice offered by over 750 lawyers in the first 18 months. Participants have been able to continue to practise as lawyers by helping their communities, and this should assist them in their job search. Experience suggests that those who have been most active have found it much easier to land job interviews.

Law schools make a particular effort to introduce students to pro bono. As Laura Gerrard, Pro Bono Clinic Manager at BPP, told us: “Pro bono remains extremely important in the current economic climate, particularly in housing and employment law, two areas in which our students are very active. Shelter and employment are fundamental needs and can be the first under threat in a financial crisis. Our students’ efforts assist those most in need by bridging the gap between publicly funded Legal Aid and those fortunate enough to afford legal representation whilst providing our students with real experience in a legal setting.”

Many firms now have formal pro bono relationships with organisations such as community legal advice centres. Arguably the increased scope and visibility of pro bono work is in part due to the greater importance placed on pro bono activities by the influx of US law firms into the UK market. Certainly more home-grown law firms now recognise the business case for doing this kind of work, not least because of the PR benefits of telling the world what caring organisations they are.

Real life

At university level, student pro bono opportunities have been more limited, largely because it’s too risky for inexperienced undergrads to provide real-life legal advice. This is changing as undergraduates are receiving more support. You can go to www.studentprobono.net for a comprehensive list of opportunities at each institution.

If you hope to go to the Bar or become a solicitor specialising in any contentious area of law then you should seriously consider becoming a ratified member of The Free Representation Unit (FRU), a charity founded in 1972 to provide legal advice, case preparation and advocacy for people who aren’t able to claim Legal Aid.