Publication of the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List

Advocate are delighted to support the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee to announce the publication of the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales. Over 3,500 lawyers across England and Wales are recognised on the list for their dedication to pro bono work.

Click here to see the names of all barristers and solicitors published on this year's Pro Bono Recognition List.

The Pro Bono Recognition List is a new initiative that recognises barristers and solicitors who have given 25 or more hours of pro bono legal assistance over the previous calendar year.

This year was the first year that the Recognition List was published and saw a total of 3,746 barristers and solicitors recognised, 483 of whom are barristers. It’s excellent to see so many members of the Bar going above and beyond to provide pro bono assistance to those who would otherwise have to face the legal system alone – congratulations and thank you for making a huge difference to access to justice.

Published annually, the Recognition List is open to solicitors and barristers in England and Wales who have dedicated 25 or more hours of pro bono legal assistance in the previous calendar year.

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.

Commenting on the publication of the Recognition List, The Lady Chief Justice said: “I welcome the inaugural publication of the Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales. The judiciary sees first-hand the importance of pro bono advice and representation in assisting those who might not otherwise receive legal help. I am pleased to recognise and thank all those solicitors and barristers who have undertaken 25 hours or more of pro bono work over the last year. I hope that recognition on the List encourages the legal profession to continue its commitment to providing pro bono help to those in need.”

Also celebrating the launch of the Pro Bono Recognition List, Bar Council Chair, Sam Townend KC said: “We are delighted that almost 500 barristers have been named on the first Pro Bono Recognition List in England and Wales. It is great that 483 barristers, together with the other legal professionals named, are celebrated for volunteering to help ensure access to justice and towards plugging the gap in legal aid funding.

“The 40% real term reduction in government spending on legal aid on barristers over the past 14 years, unfortunately, means that this work is the only means that thousands have of obtaining professional advice and representation. Congratulations to all those named - thank you for championing justice.”

On behalf of the Attorney General’s Committee, Chair of the Steering Group, Toby Brown added: “Based on the really positive response to this cross-profession collaborative initiative, we are looking forward early next year to announcing how lawyers can submit their names for pro bono work completed during 2024.”

The list of organisations supporting the initiative includes the Access to Justice Foundation, Advocate, Advocates for International Development, The Law Officers, The Bar Council, The Clinical Legal Education Organisation, The In-House Pro Bono Group, The Law Society, LawWorks, The National Pro Bono Centre and TrustLaw.

See the full list of names on the Pro Bono Recognition List. 

If you have already completed 25 or more hours of pro bono work in 2024, complete the submission form to appear on next year’s Recognition List.

Find out more about the Recognition List.