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Why you should get involved in this 20th anniversary Pro Bono Week. By Toby Brown
Once again, for the 20th consecutive year, the first week of November sees a jam-packed week of events and comms focusing on pro bono.
To what objective? Ultimately the aim is to encourage the profession in their continued commitment to providing free legal advice to those in need. But the objectives are more tangible; Pro Bono Week provides a practical opportunity for barristers and clerks to learn about the different ways of volunteering. Equally, it enables those running pro bono projects to discuss how their services could be more effective. And the week offers a chance to thank and recognise the efforts of those who volunteer their time. To this end, there are lots of ways to take part in Pro Bono Week. Over the past 20 years, activities have ranged from a bus touring the country delivering free legal advice sessions, through to last year’s 50 virtual events across the UK during the pandemic.
This year the first week of November will see a variety of in person, online and hybrid events. To highlight some examples which may interest readers:
At the launch event (6pm, Monday 1 November) a panel will debate the ‘past, present and future’ of pro bono.
The In-House Pro Bono Group is hosting ‘In House Counsel and Law Firms Doing Pro Bono Together’ online at 12.30pm, Tuesday 2 November.
For those interested in strengthening the rule of law, the evening of Tuesday 2 November will see a panel led by Lady Hale reconvene for the third time to answer ‘where do we go from here’.
Hear directly from communities helped by barristers through the Environmental Law Foundation at an online event at 12.30pm, Wednesday 3 November.
To see the best and brightest examples of pro bono over the last year, the Bar Pro Bono Awards organised by Advocate will be hosted in the evening on Wednesday 3 November.
The Bar Council, IBC and Advocate are hosting a hybrid seminar for clerks and practice managers at 5.30pm, Wednesday 3 November.
For those interested in international pro bono, A4ID will be showcasing international opportunities at an online event at 6pm on Thursday 4 November.
But attending an event is not the sum of Pro Bono Week, there are also very practical ways to get involved. First, Pro Bono Week is a great time to sign up to volunteer. Contact Advocate, ask your chambers’ Pro Bono Champion, or alternatively directly volunteer for a scheme such as CLIPs or ELAAS.
Second, consider talking to your colleagues, whether junior or senior, about the benefits of pro bono. Volunteering helps those in need, which itself feels good, but it undoubtedly also benefits the barrister, whether by offering additional advocacy experience, or a chance to develop a new specialism, through to ways to enhance QC and judicial applications. It can also lead to new professional relationships by volunteering with a solicitor, such as through Pro Bono Connect.
Third, Pro Bono Week is a chance to use social media to showcase your own, or your chambers’ involvement in pro bono. A number of law firms now use Pro Bono Week to highlight their commitment to providing free legal help, and chambers are increasingly following suit.
However you get involved, speaking as the Chair of the organising committee encompassing organisations from across the sector, I know each of the pro bono charities and projects would wish to express their gratitude to barristers that are able to volunteer their time during their busy practices.
Full details of all the events can be found at www.probonoweek.org.uk
Toby Brown is a barrister at South Square, and chairs the UK organising committee for Pro Bono Week.
Once again, for the 20th consecutive year, the first week of November sees a jam-packed week of events and comms focusing on pro bono.
To what objective? Ultimately the aim is to encourage the profession in their continued commitment to providing free legal advice to those in need. But the objectives are more tangible; Pro Bono Week provides a practical opportunity for barristers and clerks to learn about the different ways of volunteering. Equally, it enables those running pro bono projects to discuss how their services could be more effective. And the week offers a chance to thank and recognise the efforts of those who volunteer their time. To this end, there are lots of ways to take part in Pro Bono Week. Over the past 20 years, activities have ranged from a bus touring the country delivering free legal advice sessions, through to last year’s 50 virtual events across the UK during the pandemic.
This year the first week of November will see a variety of in person, online and hybrid events. To highlight some examples which may interest readers:
At the launch event (6pm, Monday 1 November) a panel will debate the ‘past, present and future’ of pro bono.
The In-House Pro Bono Group is hosting ‘In House Counsel and Law Firms Doing Pro Bono Together’ online at 12.30pm, Tuesday 2 November.
For those interested in strengthening the rule of law, the evening of Tuesday 2 November will see a panel led by Lady Hale reconvene for the third time to answer ‘where do we go from here’.
Hear directly from communities helped by barristers through the Environmental Law Foundation at an online event at 12.30pm, Wednesday 3 November.
To see the best and brightest examples of pro bono over the last year, the Bar Pro Bono Awards organised by Advocate will be hosted in the evening on Wednesday 3 November.
The Bar Council, IBC and Advocate are hosting a hybrid seminar for clerks and practice managers at 5.30pm, Wednesday 3 November.
For those interested in international pro bono, A4ID will be showcasing international opportunities at an online event at 6pm on Thursday 4 November.
But attending an event is not the sum of Pro Bono Week, there are also very practical ways to get involved. First, Pro Bono Week is a great time to sign up to volunteer. Contact Advocate, ask your chambers’ Pro Bono Champion, or alternatively directly volunteer for a scheme such as CLIPs or ELAAS.
Second, consider talking to your colleagues, whether junior or senior, about the benefits of pro bono. Volunteering helps those in need, which itself feels good, but it undoubtedly also benefits the barrister, whether by offering additional advocacy experience, or a chance to develop a new specialism, through to ways to enhance QC and judicial applications. It can also lead to new professional relationships by volunteering with a solicitor, such as through Pro Bono Connect.
Third, Pro Bono Week is a chance to use social media to showcase your own, or your chambers’ involvement in pro bono. A number of law firms now use Pro Bono Week to highlight their commitment to providing free legal help, and chambers are increasingly following suit.
However you get involved, speaking as the Chair of the organising committee encompassing organisations from across the sector, I know each of the pro bono charities and projects would wish to express their gratitude to barristers that are able to volunteer their time during their busy practices.
Full details of all the events can be found at www.probonoweek.org.uk
Why you should get involved in this 20th anniversary Pro Bono Week. By Toby Brown
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
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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
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
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
