*/
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.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
