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06.11.20

Promoting Pro Bono Work

By Matthew Fisher, Sheffield Hallam Law Student

 

HOW DO PROFESSIONALS OR ORGANISATIONS PROMOTE PRO BONO WORK?

The legal sector isn’t unique in offering its services for free, nor is it the only way organisations give back to the community. For example, many places offer paid volunteer hours to their employees to “spend” on causes they wish. It is defiantly not publicised enough!

Every year around November time the UK celebrates pro bono week, (there are other annual variations globally) it is an event aimed at promoting the uptake of pro bono in the profession and celebrating its successes. It can be accessed here:

www.probonoweek.org.uk

In order to benefit the most people there needs to be more awareness raised on the services offered and hopefully is one thing this week will help to achieve.

 

RESOURCES FOR FINDING PRO BONO ADVICE IN SHEFFIELD

 

Both university’s in Sheffield offer pro bono service in which students can assist:

• Sheffield Hallam has a fully regulated law firm called SHU Law:

www.shulaw.co.uk

• The University of Sheffield has a law clinic:

www.sheffield.ac.uk/law/undergraduate/probono/freelaw

• The Law society hosts a database of law firms offering pro bono work:

www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/pro-bono

• Law works is a charity aimed at uniting all pro bono services and maintaining a high standard or work:

www.lawworks.org.uk/

• Citizens Advice Sheffield offers a drop in legal clinic with professionals:

www.citizensadvicesheffield.org.uk