Pro bono stories

Everybody loves a good story. Writing and collecting them is essential for providing examples of and celebrating the hard work of pro bono professionals and helping to garner both media attention and funding. The NPBC can provide a freelance story writer to organisations that do not have the capacity to write and collect their own.

Featured Story

Refugee brings fraudster to justice and lands huge pro bono costs order: Fatima’s story

When local shopkeeper Derek* discovered that Fatima*, an elderly woman, was desperately trying to help her family emigrate to the UK from Afghanistan, he persuaded her that he could help them be granted an entrepreneurial visa if they invested in his business. Fatima believed him.

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Windrush scandal – woman finally given passport after 51 years: Joyce’s story

Although in the UK legally, when Joyce* lost her passport as a child, confusion over her surname led the Home Office to deny her applications for a British passport, meaning she could not travel, marry or prove her status until the problem was resolved 51 years later.

Ukrainian domestic abuse survivor finds help to divorce: Yulia’s story

Yulia fled the Ukrainian war with her husband and son but soon found herself needing to escape from her marriage without any economic stability or knowledge of the British legal system. Domestic abuse charity FLAG DV set her up with a pro bono lawyer to help.

Domestic abuse survivor divorces husband she has no contact with: Rachel’s story

When Rachel’s* husband was arrested for domestic abuse, she was given a five-year restraining order against him. With no idea how to end the marriage, she asked FLAG DV for help to divorce a man she could not legally contact.

Windrush scandal – UK-born man waits 35 years for British passport: Ace’s story

When the Home Office refused to give Ace* a UK passport, he fought them for decades. He missed out on family occasions, school trips and his mental health suffered. With help from United Legal Access, he claimed £70,000 in compensation to start a new life.

Older sister secures return of vulnerable abducted siblings from the Philippines: Althea’s story

When Althea’s* mother abducted her two younger siblings and took them to the Philippines with a convicted sex offender, she knew she would need specialist help to get them back. Dads House provided all the free legal advice she required to return them and claim custody.

Father’s uphill struggle to re-establish contact with his son: Sammy’s story

When Sammy’s* ex-partner stopped him from having any contact with this son, he wasn’t sure where to turn. Finding Dads House legal clinic meant that he received years of free legal support to re-establish their relationship.

Victim of torture settles in UK: Thiraviyarajah’s story

Thiraviyarajah is a Tamil who was persecuted and tortured in his home country of Sri Lanka. He sought sanctuary in Australia in 2013 but was captured trying to enter. Held for years in various detention centres, he ended up on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, which was reported to have appalling conditions, and a huge self-harm and suicide rate among the refugees held there. 

Wheelchair user ejected from nightclub: Nathan’s story  

When Robert and Nathan Gale had some good news, they headed to town to celebrate. However, their night out in Glasgow came to abrupt end when they were refused entry to a nightclub they had visited many times before because the venue said it not accommodate wheelchair users.

Criminal complaints dropped in Guatemala after community disrupted by gold mine: Crisanta’s story

Crisanta lived in a quiet farming community of indigenous Mayan people in Guatemala, close to a gold mine. In 2005, the gold mine operator erected a powerline which local families claimed was installed on their land without consent.

Unmarried woman wins battle for widowed parent’s allowance: Siobhan’s story

John had made enough National Insurance contributions for Siobhan to be entitled to a bereavement payment and a widowed parent’s allowance. However, because they had never married or entered a civil partnership, the Northern Ireland Department of Communities told Siobhan that she was not entitled to the money.

Pro bono team secures suitable council housing for severely disabled child: Samantha’s story

After fleeing domestic abuse, Samantha* and her three children were housed by the council in a two-bedroom temporary flat. Samantha’s eldest son suffers from Pompe disease, a deteriorating muscle condition that means he requires constant care. The accommodation did not meet his needs, and he was unable to use his wheelchair or frame there.

Mother secures school place for a disabled child in first education law case for legal advice centre: Joely’s story

Joely* is a child with complex sensory needs and autism. When her local authority allocated her to a school that wouldn’t be able to meet her needs, her parents wanted to appeal the decision, but knew they would need help.

Offer: Help to write your pro bono stories

A good story is essential for charities that enable pro bono work. Writing and collecting case studies, profiles and spotlights is a powerful way of delivering positive messages about the impact of pro bono work. It also helps garner much-needed media attention and funding, helping ensure future growth.

It is also an extremely useful tool for the often unrecognised lawyers who carry out repeated free legal work. Sharing the benefits is crucial for encouraging more lawyers to join in.

The NPBC can provide a freelance story writer/content provider to help organisations that do not have the time or resources to produce their own pro bono case studies.

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