Today, 700 barristers across England & Wales are named on the third Pro Bono Recognition List of England and Wales, endorsed by the Lady Chief Justice. We are proud to see a 13% increase in submissions from the Bar since last year.
Advocate were proud to collect submissions on behalf of the Bar again for this year’s Recognition List. Supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council, CILEX and all the major pro bono organisations, the Recognition List is a cross-profession initiative that pays tribute to the brilliant work that lawyers do giving up their time and expertise to help people in need of free legal assistance.
The Pro Bono Recognition List recognises barristers and solicitors who have given 25 or more hours of pro bono legal assistance over the previous calendar year. It includes solicitors, barristers, chartered legal executives, trade mark attorneys and patent attorneys and registered foreign and European lawyers, reflecting a commitment to celebrating pro bono contributions across the entire legal community.
This year was the third Recognition List for England and Wales, and saw 5,500 lawyers recognised, 700 of whom are barristers. We are proud to see a 13% increase in submissions from the Bar since last year, which is a testament to all those barristers volunteering their time to help those who would otherwise have nowhere else to turn for advice and representation. Our many congratulations and thanks go to all those on the List for their dedication in making access to justice a reality for everyone.
Endorsed by its patron The Lady Chief Justice of England & Wales, the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the Recognition List was set up under the sponsorship of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, with the support of the Law Society, Bar Council, and all major pro bono legal organisations. Advocate were pleased to oversee Bar submissions again this year.
Commenting on the publication, our Chair of Trustees Sharif A. Shivji KC said:
“I welcome the publication of the third annual Pro Bono Recognition List for England and Wales.
We are delighted to have been involved in the development of the Recognition List and to see it going from strength to strength each year. As the Bar’s Pro bono Charity, we collate entries, on behalf of the profession, from across the Bar for inclusion in the Recognition List. The List showcases the selfless work that barristers undertake to support those with no other means of accessing legal assistance.
Every year thousands of pro bono clients benefit from the time and expertise so generously volunteered by members of the Bar. We are especially pleased to see 700 barristers recognised this year alongside their solicitor colleagues.”
If you have already completed 25 or more hours of pro bono work in 2026, complete the submission form to appear on next year’s Recognition List. Find out more about the Recognition List and how to get involved through Advocate.
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