Pro Bono Week (4 November - 8 November) has launched with solicitor general Sarah Sackman KC and advocate general for Scotland, Catherine Smith KC, hosting a panel discussion on how pro bono can 'truly change lives'.

The solicitor general is also hosting a panel discussion on how young lawyers can include pro bono work in their practice.

Law Society president Richard Atkinson, said: 'The Law Society is proud to be taking part in celebrating once again Pro Bono Week and all the incredible and selfless work lawyers do to help vulnerable people access justice when they need it the most. We would also like to encourage more members of the legal profession to consider ways they can help make a real difference in people’s lives. The remarkable work displayed this year includes helping refugees at immigration tribunals, supporting individuals with housing issues, providing bereavement support for families, helping victims of modern slavery and many more.' 

Eliot Cohen solicitor clifford chance

Cohen: 'Incredibly rewarding to work closely with clients at the clinic'

Eliot Cohen, solicitor at Clifford Chance who volunteered at the Refugee Law Clinic, said: 'It was incredibly rewarding to work closely with clients at the clinic and see first-hand how advocacy directly facilitates access to justice for individuals, while also seeing them experience life-changing positive legal outcomes. In one case, we assisted an older, vulnerable woman who had been trafficked into the UK and exploited multiple times both in the country of origin and upon arrival in the UK. Our role was to secure a reconsideration of her trafficking status and submit a fresh claim for asylum which resulted in securing her refugee protection.'

Sam Colman, a trainee solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright who took part in a housing clinic with South West London Law Centres, said: 'We had a call with a client, they came to us very distressed and tearful about various housing issues they were having. It was about a potential eviction, and they wanted to know their rights. We prepared a full letter of advice and received some great feedback from them. I was happy we were able to help through such a stressful time in their life.'

Atkinson warned nevertheless that lawyers who volunteer their time pro bono should not be taken for granted. 'While pro bono can truly change lives, it is not and can never be a substitute for legal aid and a properly funded justice system,' he said.

 

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