Community and pro bono work
Many of our members conduct cases pro bono through Advocate (formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit). Through Advocate, members of the public can obtain legal advice and representation at court without charge from barristers on a direct access basis.
Many of our members also contribute to the CLIPS scheme established by the Chancery Bar Association, which allows those making or defending applications in the Applications Court in the Business & Property Courts in London and the Central London County Court to obtain representation on the day of their application free of charge. This service is available without any prior appointment.
Penelope Reed QC is a member of the Chancery Bar Association’s Pro Bono Sub-Committee, which seeks to advance pro bono work including through the CLIPS Scheme. Amanda Hardy QC is a former Chair of this sub-committee.
Both chambers and our members and staff individually raise significant amounts of money for charities, whether they be legal charities or charities with other objectives. For many years, chambers has contributed on an annual basis to the private client law dinner in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice.
A survey we conducted of our members revealed that over one year from 2018-2019, those responding conducted 450 hours of volunteering work, including for Advocate and CLIPS, but also in capacities such as:
- trustee of a charity promoting legal education, including for those of disadvantaged backgrounds
- chair of the trustees of a charity
- school governors
- a school parent help
- neighbourhood watch coordinator
- e-commerce volunteer for a hospice.
