Open Day, Tuesday 9th November 2010

The new National Pro Bono Centre will be open to visitors for an open day on Tuesday 9th November 2010 as part of National Pro Bono Week. The Centre will be open to barristers, solicitors and legal executives from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. throughout the day. Visitors are welcome to drop in without an appointment or can call ahead to arrange a time for a tour of the new centre and a chat over coffee and biscuits.

Staff from the Bar Pro Bono Unit, ILEX Pro Bono Forum and LawWorks (The Solicitors’ Pro Bono Group) will be available to show visitors round the Centre and discuss the work of their organisations in promoting pro bono legal advice throughout the legal profession.

From the Attorney General, 19 October 2010

The Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, QC MP said: "I'm very pleased to be invited to mark the opening of the National Pro Bono Centre and I'm impressed by the professionalism and dedication shown by all involved in making this centre happen. I am sure it will be a place where professionals will share their ideas, experiences and their projects. The work done in the name of pro bono is indispensible. It makes a real difference to people who need legal help but cannot afford to pay for it. I congratulate everyone who helped make this centre possible. May it be a great success."

19 October 2010: Official opening of the Centre

The National Pro Bono Centre (‘NPBC’) is set to open formally on Tuesday 19 October at its brand new premises at 48 Chancery Lane, in the heart of the legal community, followed by a celebration of pro bono at the Royal Courts of Justice. Guests will include the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Attorney General; Jonathan Djanogly MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice; and the Rt Hon The Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice.

Opening a day before the Government’s hotly anticipated Comprehensive Spending Review, the NPBC is an ideal showcase for the legal profession’s role in the ‘Big Society’, drawing together national legal charities the Bar Pro Bono Unit, LawWorks (the Solicitors’ Pro Bono Group) and the ILEX Pro Bono Forum. “Hot desk” facilities will allow the development of new initiatives.

The coming together of the three charities, which work with Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres and frontline agencies across England & Wales, aims to provide a more joined-up service to members of the public and to community groups in need of legal help but who cannot access legal aid and who cannot afford to pay legal fees. Whilst not a replacement for legal aid, the pro bono services offered by the charities enables access to a wide range of legal professionals across the broadest spread of practice areas and across the whole of England & Wales.

For individuals, this means access to essential legal services such as housing law and employment law, family law and immigration law. Community groups and small charities are able to receive, for example, advice on business law to ensure that they can maintain their role at the heart of their communities.

Robin Knowles CBE QC, the Chairman of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, speaking on behalf of the three charities and the NPBC, said:

“We are absolutely delighted, after much hard teamwork and dedication, especially by our staff, to launch the Centre. It represents a further step change in the public service offered by all three branches of the legal profession, working together. We have been saying for many years that pro bono is part of being a lawyer, and the establishment of the National Pro Bono Centre both helps demonstrate that and will further enable it.

“We are indebted to the many generous sponsors who have allowed the National Pro Bono Centre to happen. As well as recognising the ongoing support from the Bar Council, the Law Society and ILEX, we must thank, in particular, Diamond Sponsor FTI Consulting and Platinum Sponsors, Linklaters LLP and Slaughter & May, for their generous backing. But every single contribution, large and small, from law firms, barristers’ chambers, companies and individuals have made an enormous difference.

“Bringing the pro bono community together in this important, new and exciting way will make a further positive difference to many people’s lives, and in turn to society. I am proud of the profession’s readiness to make this happen.”

Des Hudson, Chief Executive of the Law Society said:

“I believe that the creation of the National Pro Bono Centre is unique in this country and, more than that, is a world first. It re-affirms the pro bono community in its rightful place at the heart of the mainstream legal community, and we are naturally proud to endorse it.”

David Hobart, Chief Executive of the Bar Council said:

“The significance of the National Pro Bono Centre is the facility for all three arms of the legal profession to come together in their work in the public interest. The Bar Council is delighted to support the increase in collaboration and co-ordination which will result from its establishment.”

Diane Burleigh, Chief Executive of ILEX said:

“The National Pro Bono Centre will provide a vital shared platform to raise the delivery of pro bono legal services and help the profession to reach more members of the public in need of advice and representation. This is a truly exciting initiative and ILEX is delighted to be a part of it.”

ENDS

1. For further information please contact Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of LawWorks, or Rebecca Wilkie, Chief Executive of the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
2. Any journalists wishing to attend the launch should contact Rebecca Wilkie.
3. The National Pro Bono Centre's website can be found at http://www.nationalprobonocentre.org.uk/

11 August 2010: Photos published on the Centre's website

Photos available here

30 July 2010: Law Works and the Bar Pro Bono Unit move into the new National Pro Bono Centre

LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) and the Bar Pro Bono Unit have this week moved into the new National Pro Bono Centre at 48 Chancery Lane, London. The ILEX Pro Bono Forum will be establishing a presence over the coming weeks. The new offices provide a central resource for people seeking pro bono legal advice and representation, making it easier for people in need to seek and receive help. The move is already showing early signs of success in terms of facilities, location and collaboration between the various charities. Some work remains however on completing the fit-out, and sponsorship is still being sought to assist with the capital costs of establishing the new Centre. The Centre will be officially opened in October.