Useful guides for pro bono work

This step-by-step guide takes you through how to get involved in assisting on pro bono work through Advocate. It gives a background to how applications to our service are processed as eligible for assistance, how barristers can pick the cases they want to take on, and how Advocate support you whilst working on our cases.

Read the guide: How do I get involved in pro bono work with Advocate?

This guide details how pro bono work can be supported within chambers. It is particularly focussed on how Chambers Staff can help to facilitate pro bono work, and the benefits also available to chambers professionals. It details how to work with pro bono organisations including Advocate, Pro Bono Connect, Free Representation Unit and various other Bar schemes. 

Read the guide: Pro Bono in Chambers: A Guide for and by Chambers Staff

This guide is tailored for members of the Employed Bar who are interested in taking on pro bono work, and the key practical factors to consider when doing so. It provides answers to common questions around insurance and conflict checks.  This guide was produced in partnership with the Bar Council, the Bar Association for Commercial, Finance & Industry, the Free Representation Unit, the In House Pro Bono Group, the Government Legal Department and Advocate.

Read the guide: Guide to Pro Bono for the Employed Bar

This guide explains how pupils can gain experience of pro bono work during pupillage, from assisting their supervisor with a pro bono case, through to undertaking pro bono work directly during their second-six. This guide is not regulatory or legal advice, and the BSB rules apply to pro bono work. This guide was co-produced with the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, the Free Representation Unit, The Council of the Inns of Court and Advocate. 

Read the guide: Guide to Pro Bono for Pupils and Supervisors

This guide provides support to barristers who are either returning from time out of practice (a “returner”) or switching practice areas (“a mover”) looking to undertake pro bono work. It details the benefits of pro bono work for barristers at different stages of their career and how Advocate operates. 

Read the guide: Guide to Pro Bono for Movers and Returners

This guide provides an overview of the benefits of pro bono work for senior barristers looking to apply for silk. It outlines the ways in which senior barristers can gain experience relevant to silk applications through work with Advocate, such as taking Advocate cases, acting as a mentor, or acting as a case reviewer, to name a few. It also lists the different competencies assessed for silk applications that pro bono work can assist with. 

Read the guide: Guide for KC applications

This document outlines information for Senior Barristers (7 years call and above) who may be interested in becoming a Reviewer for Advocate. Reviewers are fundamental in enabling people to access justice through Advocate by assessing all the cases that we process and ensuring that the right cases are put forward for pro bono assistance.

Read the information: Information on Reviewing

This page gives more information on how retired barristers and solicitors can utilise their time and legal skills by getting involved in pro bono work. It highlights where opportunities can be found and answers common questions such as around insurance. 

Read the information: Information for Retiring Lawyers

This guide provides a quick overview of the steps that Barristers and Advocates should take when applying for pro bono costs orders, from the negotiation stages to the conclusion of the matter. Find out more about pro bono costs on the Access to Justice Foundation website.

Read the guide: Pro Bono Costs: Guidance for Advocates