The Importance of Pro Bono in Law

By Jasmeen Kaur.

Reading time: four minutes

What is Pro Bono?

“Pro bono” comes from  the Latin phrase “pro bono publico,” meaning “for the public good.” This refers to providing free legal advice to individuals. Recently, pro bono work has gained increased attention in the legal sector, with firms incorporating pro bono opportunities into their practices, allowing lawyers to contribute meaningfully to the community. Through pro bono work, any lawyer can have a significant impact. Their training, abilities, and aptitudes are highly adaptable to the real-life situations that pro bono clients come across, even if their specialised legal specialisation does not completely match these demands.

Pro bono work by lawyers has a long history; it dates back to the middle ages, when it was frequently the only avenue available to many people seeking justice. In their rules of conduct, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) in the United Kingdom emphasise the significance of pro bono work.

In 2022, 124 firms reported performing a combined total of 4,950,520 hours of pro bono work, marking a significant increase from 2021, when 126 firms reported their pro bono hours. If participation rates and hours per participant had remained steady compared to 2021, the total reported hours should have increased by about 12.3%. However, the actual increase was only 7.3%.

The numbers show a disparity in potential involvement even with this increase. For example, while Advocate, the Bar’s pro bono organisation, counts 4,500 barristers as volunteers, this number still only makes up a small portion of the 17,252 barristers in the UK. The difference indicates that pro bono activities could benefit greatly from the participation of additional barristers and firms.

Benefits of Pro Bono Work

1. Community Engagement and Reputation

Participating in pro bono work strengthens the bond between the legal profession and the broader community. When lawyers volunteer their time and expertise to assist those in need, they cultivate goodwill and trust within society. This engagement not only benefits the clients receiving help but also bolsters the legal profession’s reputation as a dedicated advocate for the public good. Law firms and chambers that prioritise pro bono initiatives often experience improved public perception and enhanced loyalty from clients.

This positive perception can lead to increased brand recognition and a favourable reputation, attracting new clients and opportunities. Additionally, pro bono service allows lawyers to build their professional reputations.

2. Policy Influence and Legal Reform

A significant factor in influencing public policy and promoting legal reform is pro bono labour. Lawyers who take on pro bono matters are better able to recognise root causes and push for reforms that would help those in need. This influence frequently leads to important judicial precedents and reforms that improve the equality and fairness of the justice system. The growth of laws and regulations that support these objectives is directly influenced by the actions of solicitors and barristers who participate in impact litigation and policy efforts.

The ability of solicitors to provide for the legal requirements of the most underprivileged members of society and the charitable organisations that assist them is improved by a well-run pro bono programme. In addition, it allows lawyers to step in when nonprofits or public interest law organisations are unable to pay for legal assistance, guaranteeing that litigants in public interest get adequate representation.

3. Job Satisfaction and Well-being

Beyond its obvious advantages, pro bono work has the potential to significantly affect legal professionals’ job happiness and general well-being. Many solicitors find that taking on pro bono matters gives them a profound sense of satisfaction and rekindles their passion for the practice of law. It can be immensely fulfilling to positively touch the lives of clients who actually need legal aid. This feeling of involvement and purpose frequently lessens stress and raises general job satisfaction and assisting with retention rates.

Lawyers who feel appreciated and are given new tasks have been shown to stay with their firms, which goes beyond increasing employee engagement. Pro bono opportunities give them the chance to learn new skills, engage with different populations, and feel good about giving back to the community. Pro bono work is a strong motivator for legal professionals to be dedicated to their organisations because it offers the combined benefits of professional development and personal fulfilment.

Challenges

Pro bono work has many advantages, but incorporating it into a practice can be difficult for lawyers and barristers. The limitations on their time, finances, and the needs of paying clients might all make it difficult for them to accept pro bono cases. Although many lawyers have expertise in general civil practice, many restrict their practice to certain areas of law, making their engagement even more complicated by their lack of necessary skills or experience in those areas.

Statistics reveal a concerning trend: one in five lawyers in the United States has never undertaken any form of pro bono service. This figure highlights the ongoing difficulties that keep lawyers from performing pro bono work. The aforementioned time limits, responsibilities to family or other personal duties, and a perceived lack of skills or expertise are some of the main reasons given for this lack of engagement. All of these reasons work against lawyers offering their free legal services to those with limited resources and marginalised populations who want legal assistance which should not be the case in 2024.

1. First of all, it prevents underprivileged groups who cannot afford legal representation access to the court system. These people could find it difficult to understand complicated legal matters or to successfully protect their rights without pro bono assistance.
2. Second, it maintains the gaps that exist within the legal system by giving a disproportionate amount of legal services to those who can afford them, while marginalised groups encounter more obstacles to accessing the courts which is the reason behind we need more to contribute to pro bono work.

Finally

Pro bono work must be included into legal firms despite the difficulties if equitable access to justice is to be ensured for people who cannot afford it. Expanding pro bono projects is essential, as presently less than half of solicitors and barristers are involved in such activities. In addition to improving the legal profession’s standing and public trust, increasing pro bono work demonstrates the profession’s dedication to maintaining social injustices and serving the public interest whilst also enhancing on lawyers skills and putting their expertise in practice.