LATEST NEWS
Lovells aids rape claimant to fend off damages suit
Lovells’ pro bono team has successfully represented a rape claimant whose alleged attacker tried to win £300,000 in compensation from her.
The firm, which dedicated 19,000 hours to pro bono work during the past year, won the High Court victory after the alleged attacker, whose conviction was quashed, spent years trying to win the compensation.
Attorney General sets up global pro bono database
The Attorney General Baroness Scotland has launched an international database of pro bono work and key principles with the aim of encouraging best practice in the field.
The launch came as lawyers, barristers and law schools showcased their pro bono credentials to mark the seventh annual Pro Bono Week last week (10-14 November).
Scotland said the database would enable those working on international pro bono projects to take a more strategic approach to the work. In addition, she said it would be a valuable tool for attracting new legal resources.
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INFORMATION
National Pro Bono Week 2008
Giving time - making a difference
Sponsored by the Law Society, Bar Council and Institute of Legal Executives and now in its seventh year, National Pro Bono Week this year will take place 10 – 14 November 2008.
Each year, National Pro Bono Week celebrates the ever growing scale and impact of pro bono work by lawyers, law students and other professionals and provides opportunities for even more people to get involved.
There are a huge range of ways in which professionals freely give their time and expertise to help those whose needs would otherwise remain unmet and pro bono helps to ensure access to justice for those who do not qualify for legal aid and who are unable to pay for help. But access to justice does not just depend on people getting advice on their legal problems, it also requires them to have an appreciation of their legal rights and responsibilities day to day, and an understanding of where to go to get help should they need it.
National Pro Bono Week 2008 will therefore highlight the pro bono contributions made through public legal education and partnerships which support the crucial work of those agencies which are the first port of call for people looking for help with problems such as Citizens Advice Bureaux and Law Centres.
Events will be taking place across England and Wales throughout National Pro Bono Week which you can view details on the calendar and find out how you can get involved.
Get involved
We want to support the broadest possible involvement of all stakeholders in the week.
Please tell us about any activities you have planned so that we can add details to the calendar and include them in the general publicity by emailing Kate Walmsley
If you don’t already have plans, below are examples of three pro bono events that could be run as part of the celebrations during National Pro Bono Week, which draw on the time and expertise of lawyers, law students and other professionals to build stronger communities. Click on the links for more information and to access the supporting materials.
An interactive presentation on rights and responsibilities to develop legal literacy.
A local networking session for key pro bono stakeholders.
Governance presentation for community groups
A presentation for charities and community groups.
Please note that these event models are only intended to provide suggestions for events that might be organised as part of National Pro Bono Week celebrations. They are no way intended to be prescriptive and the National Pro Bono Week organising committee is unable to provide any financial or administrative support in the organisation of individual events.
Sri Lanka intervention
The Law Society has expressed its concern to the Sri Lankan government about the security of human rights lawyer J C Weliamuna following a recent grenade attack on his home. As part of his role campaigning against government corruption, Mr Weliamuna has been involved in a number of sensitive cases involving the fundamental human rights of his clients. A public investigation has been requested into the attack.
Mishcon joins ‘Pink Law’ advice initiative
Mishcon de Reya has signed up alongside Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) and Reed Smith to work pro bono for a new advice service at Queen Mary, University of London.
The Pink Law Legal Advice Centre, which launched last Friday (14 November), will give free legal advice to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
FFW and Reed Smith have supported the university since 2006, but this is the first time Mishcon has worked with Queen Mary.
The Pink Law Centre is the first of its kind in the UK and will focus on cohabitation, employment and discrimination issues.
Mishcon solicitor Emma Woollcott said the university had seen a rise in demand for impartial legal advice from the LGBT community and had written to firms asking for support for the Pink Law programme.
“It’s the first time we’ve worked with Queen Mary,” Woollcott said. “We were impressed with how dedicated Julie [Pinborough, Legal Advice Centre Manager] was to the project.”
Pinborough added: “The project demonstrates the law department’s commitment to equality and diversity within pro bono and the services it offers the local community.”
Attorney General sets up global pro bono database
The Attorney General Baroness Scotland has launched an international database of pro bono work and key principles with the aim of encouraging best practice in the field.
The launch came as lawyers, barristers and law schools showcased their pro bono credentials to mark the seventh annual Pro Bono Week last week (10-14 November).
Scotland said the database would enable those working on international pro bono projects to take a more strategic approach to the work. In addition, she said it would be a valuable tool for attracting new legal resources.
Lovells aids rape claimant to fend off damages suit
Lovells’ pro bono team has successfully represented a rape claimant whose alleged attacker tried to win £300,000 in compensation from her.
The firm, which dedicated 19,000 hours to pro bono work during the past year, won the High Court victory after the alleged attacker, whose conviction was quashed, spent years trying to win the compensation.
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The launch of National Pro Bono Week 2008
House of Commons MPs reception
Mansion House reception
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