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Lord Goldsmith QC has expressed concern that budgets for pro bono and voluntary advice sector budgets are falling just as the recession is increasing demand.
Addressing the National Pro Bono Conference, in London in November, he emphasised the need for lawyers to seek pro bono costs
orders, pointing out that they produced a “double win” for pro bono clients by generating new funds to support other pro bono work in the future. Lawyers needed to be “creative” to fi nd other means of funding, such as unclaimed client accounts. “This sector is stretched to capacity, swamped by an ever increasing demand and an ever decreasing budget,” he said.
“Meanwhile money is sitting there, unused, in a range of situations. Unclaimed client accounts are one example, but there are no doubt others if we think ambitiously and creatively.” Lord Goldsmith a nnounced the first funding grants made by the Access to Justice Foundation, a charity which provides financial assistance for pro bono legal work. More than £25,000 has been distributed between 14 organisations in England and Wales. The winner of this year’s Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award is Andrew Walker of Maitland Chambers, who successfully represented a couple who faced eviction after entering into a “sale and rent back” scheme. He persuaded the court to set aside the entire transaction, and the case attracted a £20,000 pro bono costs order in favour of the Access to Justice Foundation. John Gallagher , Principal Solicitor, Shelter, said “as a result of Andrew’s skilled and innovative arguments, the case broke new ground”. In addition, more than 50 “pro bono heroes” attended a Parliamentary reception hosted by the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC at the beginning of Pro Bono Week 2009 (9-13 November). They were nominated by members of the Attorney General ’s Pro Bono Committee, which includes representatives of the legal profession and the voluntary sector. Baroness Scotland said: “It’s not in the nature of those who act pro bono to seek out recognition or praise for their eff orts. Th e reception is a way of celebrating the work the pro bono heroes carry out.”
“Meanwhile money is sitting there, unused, in a range of situations. Unclaimed client accounts are one example, but there are no doubt others if we think ambitiously and creatively.” Lord Goldsmith a nnounced the first funding grants made by the Access to Justice Foundation, a charity which provides financial assistance for pro bono legal work. More than £25,000 has been distributed between 14 organisations in England and Wales. The winner of this year’s Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award is Andrew Walker of Maitland Chambers, who successfully represented a couple who faced eviction after entering into a “sale and rent back” scheme. He persuaded the court to set aside the entire transaction, and the case attracted a £20,000 pro bono costs order in favour of the Access to Justice Foundation. John Gallagher , Principal Solicitor, Shelter, said “as a result of Andrew’s skilled and innovative arguments, the case broke new ground”. In addition, more than 50 “pro bono heroes” attended a Parliamentary reception hosted by the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC at the beginning of Pro Bono Week 2009 (9-13 November). They were nominated by members of the Attorney General ’s Pro Bono Committee, which includes representatives of the legal profession and the voluntary sector. Baroness Scotland said: “It’s not in the nature of those who act pro bono to seek out recognition or praise for their eff orts. Th e reception is a way of celebrating the work the pro bono heroes carry out.”
Lord Goldsmith QC has expressed concern that budgets for pro bono and voluntary advice sector budgets are falling just as the recession is increasing demand.
Addressing the National Pro Bono Conference, in London in November, he emphasised the need for lawyers to seek pro bono costs
orders, pointing out that they produced a “double win” for pro bono clients by generating new funds to support other pro bono work in the future. Lawyers needed to be “creative” to fi nd other means of funding, such as unclaimed client accounts. “This sector is stretched to capacity, swamped by an ever increasing demand and an ever decreasing budget,” he said.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
