Our Committee Chair William Horwood and Vice Chair Susana Ferrín formed our pro-bono committee in September 2025.
"We were honoured to be invited by the Leader of the Circuit to form this committee to facilitate and promote pro bono work on Circuit. Our intention is for this committee to provide direction, resources and assistance to members of Circuit, Advocate and other pro bono organisations as we seek to increase the uptake of pro bono work on Circuit.”
Our Chair and Vice Chair are supported by committee members.
Why have a Pro Bono Committee?
Our committee is in place to support, organise and deliver useful information on how Members of Circuit can get involved in undertaking pro bono work, directing them to useful resources. We encourage barristers interested in undertaking pro bono work to get involved with Advocate.
Who are Advocate and why should you get involved?
Advocate is a charity that finds free legal assistance from volunteering barristers with a practising certificate, from their second six all the way to KC can sign up to browse pro bono cases with Advocate.
Barristers undertaking pro bono work through Advocate are providing vital assistance with access to justice every day to people who are ineligible for legal aid and unable to fund their own representation. Many barristers have commented on their motivation to “give back” by being involved with Advocate. You can find some of their stories HERE
Furthermore, pro bono work carries with it benefits for career progression, including the following:
- Enabling a barrister to experience a new area of law in which they have an interest.
- Enabling a barrister to work on a case which can be used as part of a submission for the legal directories.
- Enabling a barrister applying for silk or judicial appointment to meet the pro bono competency.
- Enabling a barrister to work on a case to develop legal skills and career growth, which can also be used as part of a submission for the legal directories."
You can find out more about the Pupil Pledge HERE
Quote from Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill
“The judiciary recognises the critical contribution that the Bar makes to access to justice through its pro bono work. It is a huge credit to practitioners that they are willing to give up their time for free to help the most vulnerable members of society”.
Our Pro Bono Committee was formed in September 2025.
Events.
Note: information about the events we organise and Advocate events will be available here, with links on how to book
- Date and Title of Event
- Date and Title of Event.
Resources
The links below will guide you to various resources available to you with regards to pro bono work. You can find answers to some frequently asked questions HERE
You can sign up to be a Panel Member with Advocate HERE
Mentoring Scheme. Advocate have a case-based mentoring scheme, which is aimed at second six pupils, junior barristers, barristers taking on cases in a new area of law, or even barristers returning from a career break.
Benefiting from the knowledge and expertise of senior barristers, whilst senior barristers are able to provide guidance on pro bono cases that they may not have time to fully take on themselves. Find out more HERE