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From our first ever Advocate Comedy Night to the Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards, Pro Bono Week 2025 has truly been one to remember for Advocate as we were involved in 26 events nationwide.

As part of this year's Pro Bono Week celebrations, Advocate was delighted to host its first-ever Comedy Night, Stand Up for Justice, bringing together laughter and generosity in support of pro bono.

Young barrister Emma Christie of The 36 Group explains why she is committed to doing pro bono work in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) appeals. She describes a recent case she successfully helped a mother on, and she encourages more barristers to get involved in SEND pro bono work due to the impact a barrister's help has on parents and their children.

Family law barrister Beth Payne of Coram Chambers, who has now successfully completed her pupillage, offers her personal and professional reflections on the value of pro bono work. Through Advocate’s Pupil Pledge, she gained hands-on courtroom experience, developed her client care skills, and helped secure a positive outcome for a family in need of free legal help. At a time of growing demand for pro bono work, she reminds us how impactful pro bono work can be, both for those who need it and those who provide it.

When Bryan came to Advocate, he was facing every parent’s worst nightmare. A final court order had stripped him of his parental responsibility, changed his child’s surname without his consent, and restricted him to indirect contact only. He was desperate not to lose his relationship with his child. Alone, and without the means to challenge the decision, Bryan turned to Advocate for help.

Karen approached Advocate for help on behalf of her partner, Sarah, whose son took his own life. Barristers Sunyana Sharma of 3PB and Markus Findlay of Doughty Street Chambers volunteered to assist at the inquest, with the support of a team of solicitors from Arnold & Porter.