Pro Bono Week UK

Pro Bono Pathways – Unit Chambers, Manchester
2023-11-16 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Manchester Law School
Unit Chambers proudly presents Pro Bono Pathways, a ground-breaking opportunity for local legal talent ready to supercharge their pro bono journey and explore the world of family law.
Picture this: a deep dive into a real pro bono case led by our top-notch barristers, wisdom shared by our sponsor, Advocate, and priceless insights from our very own Pro Bono Ambassadors and Advocate Pro Bono Champions.
But that’s not all! After the session, you’ll be able to connect over snacks and drinks.
Register below.

Rule of Law panel with Lady Hale & Baroness Helena Kennedy - Pro Bono Week Committee
2023-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Hybrid: in person and streamed online
Register at https://ruleoflaw2023.eventbrite.co.uk

Commencing in 2020 and helmed by Lady Hale and Baroness Kennedy, the Pro Bono Week Rule of Law series has been exploring what we mean by rule of law, the public perception of legal rights and lawyers, and the future of the rule of law in the UK.
We are very grateful to Gray’s Inn for kindly hosting the in-person element of this Pro Bono Week event.
Arrive from 5:00pm (In person attendees only)
Panel runs 5.30pm until 7.00pm. (In person and on Zoom)
There can be few times in the modern history of the UK where the Rule of Law has remained at the forefront of public attention and discussion for such a sustained period – whether it is government seeking to restrict judicial review, the backlog in the court system, to some concerning narrative about lawyers practising in the immigration and criminal justice systems.
As important as that focus has been, it often leaves a hugely important question unanswered: where do we go from here?
Lawyers almost universally see the Rule of Law as fundamental, but that seems some way off outside of the profession? If we are to protect the Rule of Law (and drive an environment where upholding the Rule of Law is seen as non-negotiable), the public at large need to feel the same way.
Having considered this question previously, the panel will return to give an update on the “state of the union” of the Rule of Law in the UK. From there, we will turn to continue our debate on what can be done to begin to deliver this. Can the law, and justice be rebranded? Can businesses be made to care and champion the Rule of Law? What, or who might get the public to value access to justice?
Chair: Paul Hodkinson (Editor-In-Chief of Law.com International)
Panellists are:

Joshua Cameron (Managing Director, FTI Consulting)
Baroness Hale of Richmond (former President of the UK Supreme Court)
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC (Director of the IBA Human Rights Institute)
Roger Leese (Partner, Clifford Chance; Chair, Advocates for International Development)
Abiodun Michael Olatokun FRSA (Campaigner, academic and lawyer)

Register at https://ruleoflaw2023.eventbrite.co.uk

Pro Bono Network Drop-In - Manchester Metropolitan University - [internal only]
2023-11-13 12:00 - 14:00
Come and speak to the Pro Bono team to find out more about pro bono work, volunteering placements and your options as a Manchester Law School student.

Internal – open to MMU students only.
Contact probono@mmu.ac.uk to register.

Free Legal Advice Day (Belfast) - Ulster University Law Clinic
2023-11-10 10:30 - 16:00 | Castle Court Shopping Centre, Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1DD
Hosted by Ulster University Law Clinic in collaboration with:

– A&L Goodbody Solicitors
– Housing Rights
– The Labour Relations Agency

Castle Court Shopping Centre, Belfast
Come along for free legal advice in matters relating to social security law, employment law and housing law.

Pro Bono; New Connections - Pro Bono Connect - [invitation-only]
2023-11-09 17:45 - 19:30
An event hosted by Pro Bono Connect to celebrate recent developments in the scheme, and launch the new Pro Bono Expert Support Scheme delivered jointly with the National Pro Bono Centre.
This event is invitation only.

Law Lecture: Life of a Lady Law Lord - University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society
2023-11-09 17:30 - 20:00 | The Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia Research Park, University Dr, Norwich, NR4 7TJ
“THE LIFE OF A LADY LAW LORD”
TALK BY LADY BRENDA HALE, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
THURSDAY 9 NOVEMBER 5.30-8PM
ENTERPRISE CENTRE LECTURE THEATRE
We are delighted that Lady Brenda Hale, the former Head of the Supreme Court and the first woman to hold this post, will be speaking to UEA Law students and members of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society on 9 November.
Lady Hale is trailblazer in many respects, and she gained a particularly high profile in 2019 when she delivered the Supreme Court’s decision on the government’s prorogation of Parliament over Brexit. She has been called the “Beyoncé of the legal profession” and her various spider brooches became famous (you can even buy Lady Hale brooch T-shirts).

We look forward to seeing you there!

North East Pro Bono Summit - North East Pro Bono Committee
2023-11-09 17:30 - 19:45 | Ward Hadaway, Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX
Organised by the North East Pro Bono Committee, and jointly chaired by Honorary Presidents HHJ Jeremy Freedman and HHJ Mark Gargan.
The aim of our event is to discuss the need for pro bono help to change lives, celebrate the pro bono efforts taking place within the North East and discuss ways impact of pro bono can be maximised within the region.
Details of the event are as follows:

Event chaired jointly by HHJ Freedman and HHJ Gargan
Thursday 9th November 2023
Ward Hadaway, Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX
Arrival from 5.30pm, coffee & networking
6pm presentations and discussions
7.15pm networking over light refreshment

Those interested in attending please enquire with Nazmin Akthar, Committee Co-Chair via Nazmin.Akthar@wbd-uk.com

Bringing Pro Bono Together - Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland and JustRight Scotland
2023-11-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, 12 Nelson Mandela Pl, Glasgow, G2 1BT
Bringing Pro Bono Together: The launch of the Scottish Pro Bono Guide
Hosted jointly by the Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland and JustRight Scotland.
5pm for 5.30pm start – Tea, Coffee and Biscuits on arrival and during networking.
Speakers
Neil Mackenzie KC, Faculty of Advocates on the launch of Scottish Guide to Pro Bono
Susan Murray, Vice-President, Law Society of Scotland
Jen Ang, Director of Development & Policy, JustRight Scotland on Making Pro Bono Matter: Reflections from the Frontline
Open to all. Register at the link below.

Working with Vulnerable Clients in a Pro Bono Setting - Bristol Pro Bono Group
2023-11-09 17:00 - 18:30 | Hybrid: in person and streamed online
A workshop session for National Pro Bono Week, hosted by the UWE Business and Law Clinic for the Bristol Pro Bono Group.

Working with vulnerable clients with complex needs is a rewarding aspect of pro bono work, but can require skills which may not be fully developed through lawyers’ day to day professional experience.

This workshop session will draw on the expertise of a panel who work with vulnerable clients in different legal settings, to facilitate discussion ways of working effectively with vulnerable clients. It will explore experiences, approaches and the managing of impact upon lawyers of this challenging aspect of legal work.

All are welcome to join in person at UWE, or online via MS Teams.
Please sign up using this link

If you would like further information please contact Rachel Wood at Rachel.wood@uwe.ac.uk

Pro Bono Pathways - Unit Chambers, Liverpool
2023-11-09 17:00 - 18:00
Outreach event at Unit Chambers to highlight Unit Chambers’ pro bono services and to support local university students on pro bono cases. Advocate’s Northern Circuit Caseworkers will be in attendance and giving a short presentation on pro bono work. Also happening on Thursday 16th November at Unit Chambers in Manchester.
Time TBC.

How can legal technology help maximise the impact of Pro Bono and provide access to justice? - University of Edinburgh
2023-11-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
Hermione Hague (tech lawyer, consultant and course organiser for Legal Tech Elective on the Diploma at University of Edinburgh) is hosting a panel to discuss how legal technology help maximise the impact of pro bono and provide access to justice. This event will showcase how legal technology can facilitate and enhance the running of a busy pro bono clinic, the University of Edinburgh’s Free Legal Advice Centre, and simulate the running of a law firm, for the benefit of pro bono clients and students alike. We will look at the opportunities and challenges and how legal design thinking and legal technology can bring efficiencies and enable access to justice. The event will feature demonstrations from leading legal tech providers (Gavel and Valla) to show how legal technology can flex the impact of pro bono and access to justice. We will discuss the impact of AI and how this can effect change and empower professionals – and consider its limitations and ethical and professional considerations. On the panel will be the University’s FLAC team, legal technologists and members of the profession. Please come join in the discussion and find out how you can get involved.
About the host
Hermione Hague [external site] is a technology and privacy lawyer and has experience working in house at tech companies and the technology sector since 1999! She was in house counsel at boo.com [external site], set up the mobile company Three and more recently has worked in the VR and fintech, telecoms and cryptocurrency sectors. This year, she is the course organiser responsible for the IP elective at the University of Edinburgh, which she has run for 7 years. She also teaches and has run courses on the Information Technology LLM programme at the University of Edinburgh. She provides consultancy services via Vario, AndCo Law and Arbor Law. She was lead project manager for a nine month legal technology project for a CRM solution at McGrigors (now used by Pinsent Masons).
The one hour talk in the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre will be followed by refreshments in the Moot Court Room, Old College, giving you a chance to speak with the panelists over tea and coffee.

National Pro Bono Week Roundtable - Birmingham Law Society
2023-11-09 12:00 - 14:30 | Gowling WLG, Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6WR
The Birmingham Law Society’s Pro Bono committee would like to invite you to their annual pro bono event taking place during National Pro Bono Week 2023. This year a pro bono clinic roundtable event is planned.
This event will bring together representatives from the various legal advice clinics, agencies and providers in the Birmingham area for a roundtable style discussion on the scope of advice and opportunities that our organisations offer, and also to share the limitations and challenges faced. Lawyers are invited to attend the event as audience members to learn more about what opportunities are available for law firms to get involved in pro bono work, and facilitate networking. The event is kindly hosted by Gowling WLG.
Agenda
12pm Registration, lunch and networking
12.30pm Roundtable discussion
1.30pm Audience Q&A
1.45pm Coffee and networking for those who have time
2.30pm Close

Pro Bono, Nutrition for the Heart: A vantage point - CMS - [invitation-only]
2023-11-09 12:00 - 14:00 | CMS, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon St, London, EC4N 6AF, United Kingdom
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi

Penelope Warne – CMS Senior Partner, Chairman of the UK Board and Head of Energy is delighted to invite you to celebrate UK Pro Bono Week. We are hosting an in-person lunch event “Pro Bono, Nutrition for the heart: A vantage point”. The three main themes of UK Pro Bono Week 2023: changing lives through pro bono, maximising the impact of pro bono and how it is placed within ESG will underpin and inform a roundtable discussion, highlighting impactful pro bono work throughout the UK and beyond that creates a collective consciousness for service and justice.
CMS is honoured to welcome a distinguished group of roundtable speakers:
· Dame Fiona Woolf – 686 Lord Mayor of London and Initiator of the Power of Diversity Programme (providing opening remarks)
· Toby Brown – Barrister and Chair of the UK Pro Bono Week Committee (Roundtable Moderator)
· Ian Dunn – CEO, Plantlife
· Jakhya Rahman-Corey – Director, Swarovski Foundation
· Kathryn Beck – Head of Legal, TrustLaw, Thomson Reuters Foundation
· Valerie Robertson – Pro Bono and Public Legal Education Policy Adviser, Law Society of England & Wales
· Niall McAlister – Partner, CMS
· Katherine Ramo – Head of Pro Bono, CMS

This event is invitation-only.

#ProBonoNutritionfortheHeart #Servicewithimpact #UNSDGs

Changing lives through pro bono & maximising the impact of pro bono - Suffolk & North Essex Law Society in partnership with Suffolk Law Centre
2023-11-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Online event
An opportunity to highlight how lives have been transformed through pro bono work in our communities, and discuss how we can continue to get involved and maximise the impact of pro bono within our communities.
This event is open to volunteers and legal professionals based in Suffolk or North Essex or further afield.
Lawyers can volunteer for the Suffolk Law Centre remotely, so please join the event from anywhere in the country.
Open to all through Teams Link: contact sue@suffolklawcentre.org.uk or SuffolkNEssexLawSociety@birketts.co.uk to join.

Generative AI 101 for Charities and Not-For-Profits - Lewis Silkin Pro Bono Skills Academy
2023-11-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Online event
Join us for the first in a series of pro bono webinars from the Lewis Silkin Pro Bono Skills Academy. This webinar is aimed at UK-based charities and not-for-profits organisations that need to get up to speed with AI and spot the opportunities and hazards on the horizon.
AI is the buzzword of 2023 with good reason. From searching for information to generating copy, AI could change the landscape forever. But are you still scratching your head as to where to begin and how AI will affect you as a charity or not-for-profit?
In this webinar we will provide a detailed introduction to how these AI tools work and what legal and regulatory issues arise.
The Lewis Silkin Pro Bono Skills Academy is a new initiative from law firm Lewis Silkin LLP aimed at giving charities and not-for-profits a holistic programme of free training looking at a wide range of legal and governance issues such as:
– Mental health awareness for managers
– Boosting your digital marketing strategy while staying on the right side of the law
– Introduction to Cryptoassets (including NFTs)
– Strategic planning – processes and tools to decide direction and take decisions
– Financial management for non-financial managers
– Workplace resilience

Free Legal Advice Day (Derry) - Ulster University Law Clinic
2023-11-09 10:30 - 16:00 | Richmond Shopping Centre, Ferryquay St, Londonderry, BT48 6PE
Hosted by Ulster University Law Clinic in collaboration with The Labour Relations Agency

Richmond Shopping Centre, Derry
Come along for free legal advice in matters relating to employment law, family law and social security law.

Spotlight on Social Welfare - Slaughter and May
2023-11-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Hybrid: in person and streamed online
Join Slaughter and May for a discussion on social welfare and how pro bono can support individuals to access justice.
The panel of speakers work and volunteer with services users on the front line and we will be discussing the issues the people they support face such as homelessness, food poverty or trouble navigating the social care system and how pro bono advice can make a difference.
Whether you are a pro bono practitioner working in-house, at a private practice or a law student starting out your career come along or join virtually to find out more about the issues at hand and ask any questions you may have.
Speakers

Holly Ware, Partner, Slaughter and May and Trustee at RCJ Advice
James Sandbach, London Development Manager, Citizens Advice
Kari Gerstheimer, CEO, Access Social Care
Nick Reed, Advice and Engagement Worker, Margins Project

For those attending in person there will be a chance to network over breakfast.
Please book at the link below.

Chambers breakfast seminar – St Philips - [Internal only]
2023-11-09 09:00 - 10:00 | St Philips Chambers, 55 Temple Row, Birmingham, B2 5LS
Advocate’s Midland Circuit caseworker will be joining St Philips for a breakfast seminar to discuss the benefits of pro bono for your practice and how you can work more closely with Advocate in the Midlands.

Breakfast seminar - Twenty Essex - [internal only]
2023-11-09 09:00 - 10:00
Advocate Caseworkers will be meeting Twenty Essex pupils and junior tenants to discuss how pro bono work can help with practice development.
Internal only event.

St Philips Chambers with Advocate – Breakfast seminar (Internal event)
2023-11-09 08:00 - 10:00

Changing lives through pro bono - A panel discussion
2023-11-09
Join LSESU Law Society Pro Bono for a panel discussion on Changing Lives Through Pro Bono.
The LSESU Law Society is one of the largest and most active societies at LSE, for law and non-law students alike. We are the biggest academic society at the university and have hundreds of members spanning subjects from economics to history. We are the society to join if you are, in any way, interested in the legal profession! We organise socials and a variety of career, workshop, and networking events with both firms and chambers to introduce our members to the vast world of law.
Look out for updates about this on our Instagram and the Law Society newsletter.
For more information visit https://www.lsesulawsoc.com/pro-bono

Clyde & Co welcome Amicus ALJ - Clyde & Co - [internal only]
2023-11-08 18:00 - 20:00
Clyde & Co are delighted to be joined by Amicus ALJ during Pro Bono Week 2023. We will be hosting an introduction to Amicus ALJ, receive general training for our upcoming casework programme and invite volunteers to engage in a Q&A session. This will be followed by an opportunity to network with Amicus staff and with our Pro Bono trainee, currently on secondment to Amicus. We will also be joined by our Pro Bono Manager for the Americas, livestreaming from New Orleans, who will be discussing her experiences with Amicus ALJ over the last 15 years and the benefits in committing to pro bono work for Death Penalty cases.
The event is internal and open only to Clyde & Co staff members.

Family Bar Pro Bono Week Event - Advocate
2023-11-08 18:00 - 20:00 | 1GC, 10 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3BP, United Kingdom
Hosted by 1GC, this Pro Bono Week, Advocate is inviting the leading Family sets to come and join the discussion on how to better integrate pro bono work in Chambers. We are delighted that Samantha Singer (Co-Chair, Pro Bono & Social Responsibility Committee), the FLBA and senior Judiciary will also be attending and providing their support for this event.
Applications for assistance in family law cases remain firmly Advocate’s busiest area of law. So far in 2023, Advocate has received over 700 requests for help in family law alone. Last year, nearly 40% of our total applications for the year were requests for help with family cases. We hope it will be an important evening to gather the Family Bar around this key topic and look forward to meeting you.
If you would like to attend please contact communications@weareadvocate.org.uk

Free Representation Unit's 50th anniversary celebration
2023-11-08 18:00 - 20:00 | 39 Essex Chambers, 81 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1DD, United Kingdom
This year, FRU are celebrating 50 years by holding an event to celebrate Pro Bono work and the importance of equal access to justice that FRU provides.
There will be talks from Lord Justice Underhill, Vice President of the Court of Appeal, FRU’s founding members and special guest FRU patron the Secret Barrister.
Please join us to celebrate FRU and its necessity to the legal world.
Please help us to raise £50,000 to keep our vital service going.
If you would like to attend virtually, please book a donation ticket at Eventbrite.

Changing lives through pro bono - BPP University Social Impact Team
2023-11-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Online event
An interactive online panel event showcasing the amazing work BPP does in the Social Impact Team involving our student volunteers and some of the external partners we support. Panellists will be sharing insights into their pro bono work, highlighting some of the cases they were responsible for and demonstrating the significant impact they had on those clients.
Confirmed panellists:

Hannah Lennox, Solicitor at BPP Legal Advice Clinic
Aqsa Ullah, Solicitor Apprentice at Allen & Overy LLP
Ayguzel Abdulla, BPP Social Impact student volunteer
Frankie Hall, Solicitor at Shelter

Nottingham Law School and Support Through Court Celebratory Event - [invitation only]
2023-11-08 17:30 - 19:30
The event celebrates the launch of the new flagship Support Through Court National Online Service and will be an opportunity to hear more about the partnership between Nottingham Law School and Support Through Court and how we work together to help people going to court without legal representation, locally and nationally.

CLIPS & Pro Bono Week Event - Chancery Bar Association
2023-11-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Serle Court, Lincoln's Inn, 6 New Square, London, WC2A 3QS
Come and join the Chancery Bar Association to celebrate Pro Bono Week on Wednesday, 8 November at 5pm at Serle Court.
Discover how our renowned CLIPS scheme delivers access to justice for litigants in person with interim applications in the Chancery Division.
There will be a light-hearted roleplay followed by a Q&A and refreshments.
Ideal for practitioners who have not done CLIPS recently or are thinking about volunteering for CLIPS for the first time.
The event is open to to anyone eligible to volunteer for CLIPS (i.e. a member of any one of the larger civil SBAs).

Chambers tea - 4 Stone Buildings - [internal only]
2023-11-08 16:30 - 17:00
Two Advocate Caseworkers will be joining Chambers tea to share briefly on pro bono work and network with members.
Internal only event.

Chambers tea - Blackstone Chambers - [internal]
2023-11-08 16:00 - 16:30
Two Advocate Caseworkers will be joining Chambers tea to share briefly on pro bono work and network with members.
Internal event only.

Pro Bono Fair - The City Law School - [internal-only]
2023-11-08 15:00 - 17:00 | City Law School, The City Law School, 165 Goswell Road,, London, EC1V 7HD
An opportunity for students of The City Law School to meet representatives of a variety of major law firms to learn about pro bono initiatives they can get involved in, and how pro bono work can help prepare them for future legal careers.
For City Law Students only.
The event will take place in the atrium of the City Law School Building.
We have some amazing Law Firms and charities attending on the day, who will talk more to students about the pro bono their firms do, and how to address this in applications for training contracts.
It is an opportunity to meet friendly firms who are keen to meet City’s law students at an informal event, where you can talk to firm representatives about their work. Any aspiring lawyers should attend to hear more!
During the fair we will also be producing a short film for #probonoweek to record the event and hear more from the lawyers who do pro bono; what it means to them and their clients; and why students should get involved.
The organisations attending the fair are:
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Arnold & Porter
Ashurst
Leducate
Islington Advice Clinic
Advocate
Amicus ALJ
Clyde & Co
CMS
