Developed in collaboration with representatives from clinics registered on the LawWorks Clinics Network, the campaign brings together voices from across the legal sector to address the practical concerns that can discourage solicitors from taking part in pro bono clinic work.
At a time when demand for free legal support continues to grow, legal clinics across England and Wales play a vital role in helping people access early legal advice and better understand their rights. However, many solicitors still believe that volunteering with pro bono legal clinics pro bono work is too time-consuming, administratively complex, or outside of their area of expertise.
Through a new video campaign released during Volunteers’ Week 2026, LawWorks is tackling these myths head-on, highlighting the realities of volunteering and the practical support available to solicitors through the LawWorks Clinics Network.
Myth: A law firm’s professional indemnity insurance must cover any pro bono advice given by its employees.
Reality: This is not always the case. Insurance arrangements vary, but most clinics have their own professional indemnity insurance, which covers advice provided by volunteer solicitors.
Myth: Volunteering requires a fixed, regular commitment (e.g. weekly evening sessions).
Reality: Clinics are generally very flexible and work around volunteers’ availability. Operating hours vary, with some clinics running during the day, some in the evening, and many offering both.
Myth: Volunteers must travel to clinics, often after work.
Reality: Most clinics now offer hybrid models, allowing volunteers to participate either in person or remotely, depending on their preference.
Myth: Pro bono work undermines legal aid providers.
Reality: Pro bono work is not a substitute for legal aid. Clinics play a vital role in helping individuals who cannot afford legal services, are ineligible for legal aid, or cannot access a legal aid provider due to location or capacity issues.
Myth: Only solicitors with expertise in areas like employment, family, or housing law can volunteer with pro bono legal clinics.
Reality: Clinics cover a wide range of legal areas, and solicitors from many disciplines can contribute. Even those in commercial practice often have transferable skills that enable them to provide valuable initial advice.
Myth: Providing only initial advice does not meaningfully help clients.
Reality: Initial advice is often crucial. It helps clients understand their rights, identify next steps, and determine whether they may be eligible for further support, including legal aid.
Myth: Solicitors gain little from pro bono work.
Reality: Volunteering offers valuable professional and personal development. Solicitors can:
- Build new legal and transferable skills
- Gain experience in different areas of law
- Develop client-handling and communication skills
- Work with a broader and more diverse range of clients than they may encounter in their day-to-day practice
Myth: Clinics lack administrative support and legal tools.
Reality: Clinics typically provide strong support, including:
- Client triage and appointment scheduling
- Case management systems
- Assistance from students or volunteers (e.g. note-taking)
- Access to legal research tools (such as Lexis+)
Myth: The volunteer’s firm must onboard pro bono clients.
Reality: Where the clinic provides insurance, the client is a client of the clinic - not the volunteer’s firm. The clinic handles onboarding, communication, and administration. Volunteers are given necessary details only for conflict checks, and clients typically do not have direct ongoing contact with the volunteer.
Myth: Solicitors must obtain their firm’s approval to volunteer.
Reality: Solicitors can usually volunteer in a personal capacity, particularly where the clinic provides insurance. However, they should consider factors such as whether volunteering takes place during working hours.
Myth: In-house solicitors cannot volunteer at pro bono clinics.
Reality: While in-house solicitors are generally restricted from carrying out reserved legal activities externally, most clinics provide initial advice only, which is not a reserved activity. This means in-house solicitors can usually volunteer under the clinic’s insurance.
Myth: Solicitors need extensive training before volunteering.
Reality: Most clinics do not require specific prior training. Some may offer introductory training, particularly for specialist areas.
In addition, LawWorks provides free training sessions covering both legal topics and soft skills (e.g. working with vulnerable clients), with recordings available on our website for ongoing learning. All LawWorks training sessions and online resources are freely available to all volunteers supporting clinics registered on the LawWorks Clinics Network.
LawWorks would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the Volunteers’ Week 2026 myth-busting campaign video, sharing their insight and experience to help inspire more solicitors to volunteer with pro bono clinics.
The campaign features Rebecca Howell, Head of Clinics Programme at LawWorks, alongside representatives from clinics on the LawWorks Clinics Network and volunteer solicitors from across the legal sector, all of whom are committed to improving access to justice through free legal advice.
With thanks to:
- Bernadette Chikwe, Housing Team Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and volunteer at East Greenwich Legal Advice Clinic
- Daniel Denton, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and volunteer at multiple university law clinics on the LawWorks Clinics Network
- Natasha Warby, Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP and volunteer at Connect Legal Advice Clinic
- Amanda Thurston, Director at Hertfordshire Law Clinic
- Sarah Clover, CEO of South Westminster Legal Advice Centre
- Anna Brunt, Family Law Director at Lewis Rodgers Solicitors and volunteer at University of Staffordshire’s Legal Advice Service
- Hannah Henderson, Clinic Solicitor at Kent Law Clinic
- Oliver Dearie, Head of Legal, Insurance and Deposit Takers at the Bank of England and volunteer at South Westminster Legal Advice Centre