I was really surprised to receive an email telling me that I would appear on the Pro Bono Recognition List. The first list was released on Monday 17 June 2024 and it will be released annually. ‘Pro bono’ is basically a fancy way of saying ‘free’; in other words, my appearance on the list is a recognition of the work I do, unpaid, within the legal profession.
I do not know who put me forward but thank you! My view of pro bono work is that you do it because you want to give back, not for the accolade or recognition – but it is nice to have a ‘thanks’ of this magnitude and a special message from the Lady Chief Justice.
About the Pro Bono Recognition List
The Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales, which will be published annually, recognises barristers and solicitors who have given 25 or more hours pro bono legal assistance in the previous calendar year.
The Pro Bono Recognition List was set up under the aegis of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, with support from the Access to Justice Foundation, Advocate, Advocates for International Development, the Law Officers, the Bar Council, the Clinical Legal Education Organisation, the In-House Pro Bono Group, the Law Society, LawWorks, the National Pro Bono Centre and TrustLaw.
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, is the Patron of the Pro Bono Recognition List .
The Lady Chief Justice said:
I am delighted to welcome the publication of the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales, of which I am Patron. The List recognises barristers and solicitors who gave 25 hours or more pro bono legal assistance over the last year. The initiative is supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council and all the major pro bono organisations under the aegis of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee.
I take this opportunity to thank each and every solicitor and barrister who appears on the Recognition List. Each has provided at least 25 hours of legal pro bono last year, with many offering substantially more than that. Those lawyers follow the long tradition of the legal profession in volunteering their time to provide free legal assistance to individuals and charities.
Pro bono is not a substitute for legal aid, but it is a valuable part of our system of justice, working alongside the advice sector. The judiciary sees first-hand how pro bono advice and representation helps those who might not otherwise receive legal assistance. I hope that recognition on the List encourages the legal profession to continue its commitment to providing pro bono help to those in need.
What do you do to give back?