Following the 14th annual National Pro Bono Week the report highlights the contribution lawyers, law students and others make to some of the most vulnerable individuals and communities in society.
Cuts to legal aid, reduced funding for law centres and local advice services, and the introduction of tribunal and court fees have significantly reduced the ability of many to access legal advice and representation.
The report provides a national picture of the work being delivered across the LawWorks Clinics Network. While the sector is facing challenges and considerable change it is encouraging that over 4,500 individuals volunteered across the Network (in England and Wales) last year, demonstrating commitment and dedication to pro bono legal advice and enabling access to justice.
There were 219 clinics in the LawWorks Clinics Network on 31 March 2015, an increase of 25% from the previous year. The Clinics Network received a total of over 43,000 individual enquiries in the reporting period and while the increase in the number of clinics in the network will have contributed, this is a 55% increase on the previous year - 95% of clinics which responded reported an increase in demand for advice.
The report confirms that clinics are supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, with around 64% of clinic clients reporting a household income below the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Minimum Income Standard threshold of £16,284. Individuals are presenting with a range of legal problems, with significant increases in enquiries relating to family law, asylum and immigration, housing law and employment.
Martin Barnes, CEO, LawWork said, “Pro bono, while it makes an important and profound contribution to enabling access to justice, is not – and should not be seen as – an alternative to funding for local law centres and advice agencies or legal aid. Pro bono works most effectively when it compliments and supports wider legal and advice provision – and is tailored to best meet need. It also needs an ‘infrastructure’ to flourish and survive, not least local organisations or groups able to facilitate, host or support pro bono volunteers. The clinics in the LawWorks Clinic Network should be rightfully proud of the work they do and the positive contribution they make. We would like to thank the thousands of pro bono volunteers, and the advice workers, staff and volunteers that make each clinic possible.”
David Raeburn, Director of Programmes, LawWorks said, “With so many of the legal advice agencies that typically host pro bono clinics operating at reduced capacity in recent years, we have been working with an increasing number of non-legal charities seeking to support people with legal issues. In the last year we have been supporting new clinics run in partnership with cancer support charities helping recovered patients with employment law issues on their return to work, homeless shelters providing housing law advice to residents, and children’s hospices where the families of children with life-limiting conditions can access pro bono legal advice while their child receives treatment. The variety of projects across the country is broad, with each pro bono clinic identifying the model that works best for the local community and volunteers’ skills and expertise.”
Lee Hansen, Clinics Support and Development Manager, LawWorks said “LawWorks provides practical support and guidance to local organisations across England and Wales that have an interest in setting up new pro bono advice clinics or in expanding their existing service. People in need of legal help in local communities are often unable to get access to legal advice or do so only after problems have worsened. Local organisations are well placed to identify need, often among some of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised members of our community.”
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Notes to editors:
- LawWorks is a charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers both with people in need of legal advice, who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay, and with the not for profit organisations that support them and their communities. LawWorks believes in the power of pro bono legal advice to improve the lives of people in need.
- The clinics in the LawWorks Network are independent and self-managed. LawWorks’ role includes working with stakeholders to help set up new clinics and providing advice and guidance on issues such as regulatory requirements, insurance and volunteer recruitment. LawWorks provides ongoing support where needed, including ‘troubleshooting’ advice, but also training, networking opportunities and online information and resources.
- The full LawWorks Clinics Report can be accessed at the following link: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/resources/lawworks-clinics-network-report-april-2014-march-2015
- For additional information about LawWorks please visit www.lawworks.org.uk
- Press contact: Valerie Hudson t: 020 7092 3952 e: valerie.hudson@lawworks.org.uk