Created by the In House Pro Bono Group, GC100 and National Pro Bono Centre, the In House Pro Bono Pledge is a way for companies to publicly demonstrate their commitment to pro bono and to take practical steps to ensure their legal teams can make a pro bono contribution.
The pledge is open to the GCs (and in-house legal departments) of all companies, endorsed by the In House Pro Bono Group, the GC100, the National Pro Bono Centre, Advocate, BACFI, LawWorks and TrustLaw. The National Pro Bono Centre helps people to sign up and maintains records.
The pledge can be read in full below alongside the names of signatories who are happy to be publicly listed as such.
“We recognise the importance and value of legal pro bono work to individuals, employees, our company and most importantly, to wider society. It forms part of the contribution we make as an employer, demonstrating our commitment to be a responsible and caring contributor to society. Our legal team commits to the UK In House Pro Bono Pledge and will fulfil its key undertakings. We hugely look forward to using our skills to improve access to justice for all and to playing our part in making a better world.”
Pledge 1. The GC will appoint a Pro Bono Champion(s).
Pledge 2. The Pro Bono Champion(s) will join the In House Pro Bono Group.
Pledge 3. The Pro Bono Champion will indicate if they would like to be supported by a designated mentor from the In House Pro Bono Group.
Pledge 4. The Pro Bono Champion will outline how the pledge statement can apply within the company, particularly providing suggestions about how pro bono will be situated within the wider organisational CSR or ESG strategy.
Pledge 5. The organisation commits to encourage 25% of the UK-based lawyers to undertake a minimum of one hour of pro bono work in the first year rising to 35% in the second year and 50% in the third year.
Pledge 6. The legal team will track pro bono work undertaken, on an hourly and project basis.
Pledge 7. The legal team will ask their key external law firms and chambers to provide details of their pro bono activities and to be clear about their support for pro bono.
The UK In House Pro Bono Pledge, created by the In House Pro Bono Group, GC100 and the National Pro Bono Centre, helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to pro bono and support their legal teams to make a meaningful contribution to access to justice.
This practical guide, launched for Pro Bono Week 2026, takes you through the seven steps of the Pledge, with advice on building internal support, identifying suitable volunteering opportunities, tracking participation and impact, and working with external law firms and chambers to develop pro bono activity.
Whether you are establishing a pro bono programme or looking to develop an existing one, the guide offers practical suggestions and signposts to further resources and support.