Our history
We are Advocate, the Bar’s national pro bono charity.
In 1996, we began with a part-time administrator working from a small room in Gray’s Inn. Now, we are the only pro bono charity to provide access to legal assistance in all areas of law, in all courts and tribunals across England and Wales.
We were founded as the Bar Pro Bono Unit in 1996 by Lord Goldsmith KC. Starting with only 350 volunteer barristers, demand for help meant that our charity quickly grew in strength and number. Lord Goldsmith’s compassion in recognising the public need for free legal help to be available to those who could not afford it had started something that would become a lifeline for many. In the first year we received 250 applications for legal help, a number that would increase to over 3,000 by 2024.
In 2024, we relocated to the Justice Hub, a collaborative coworking space consisting of legal charities who are together dedicated to access to justice, human rights, and the rule of law. From 1996 to now, we have helped thousands of people achieve the access to justice they deserve. Over the years, we are pleased to have established successful partnerships with charities and professional bodies across the sector to deliver free legal advice and advocacy where it is most needed.
Today, Advocate works with over 4,500 volunteer barristers through a casework team with a physical presence in each Circuit across England and Wales. In 2026, we are celebrating our 30th anniversary of finding free legal help from barristers for members of the public who have nowhere else to turn. We will be celebrating the pro bono impact we have made in collaboration with the Bar over the last 30 years by spotlighting the contributions of our volunteers, team-members and supporters, and most importantly, the life-changing impact they have made on the people who need our help.
Advocate and the Bar: celebrating 30 years of access to justice
To mark our 30th anniversary, we have published a special brochure titled Advocate and the Bar: Celebrating 30 Years of Access to Justice.
This publication celebrates Advocate’s role in upholding the Bar’s commitment to pro bono work, reflects on how we have adapted to recent challenges facing the legal sector, and looks ahead to our future work.
Topics covered include:
• Our pro bono initiatives and partnerships that improve access to justice;
• Our impact, national reach, and case studies demonstrating the vital role of volunteer barristers;
• How pro bono work shapes legal careers, strengthens a culture of giving back, and is sustained through the support of our donors and supporters.
Read the publication here.
“Your organisation embodies the true spirit of justice and community support. The impact of your work extends far beyond individual cases – you are transforming lives and ensuring that legal recourse is available to all, regardless of financial circumstances. Thank you for your invaluable support and for the difference you continue to make in people's lives.”
– Advocate applicant
