Celebrating Pro Bono Week 2025
News
Pro Bono Week* recognises legal professionals across the UK that offer free legal advice to those who could not otherwise afford it and do not qualify for legal aid.
The Pro Bono Week event was held on Monday 3 November with keynote speakers attorney general, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC and Lord Goldsmith, chair of LawWorks and former attorney general who discussed the impact of ‘Pro Bono in Action’ across the legal sector.
Law Society of England and Wales president, Mark Evans, said: “The Law Society is proud to once again be taking part in celebrating Pro Bono Week and recognising all the incredible, selfless work that solicitors do to help ensure access to justice when it’s needed the most.
“The contributions of solicitors who dedicate their time voluntarily should not be taken for granted. Whilst pro bono work can help change lives, it cannot be a substitute for legal aid and an adequately funded justice system.
“The remarkable work displayed this year includes a law firm that supported a legal reform charity overturn a wrongful conviction. Another case was about an appeal to an employment tribunal decision.
“We commend these law firms and solicitors that provided free legal advice and support.”
David Boyd, head of Pro Bono for UK and Ireland at Clifford Chance said: “We’ve been proud to work with legal charity JUSTICE** as one of our strategic pro bono partners over the past few years. The partnership focused on improving access to justice and exploring ways to address similar issues to those faced by the Manchester 10 case***.
“When it became clear that the client was planning to appeal their conviction, their barrister contacted us and JUSTICE to see if we would be interested in intervening in the case.
“We worked intensely over several months to prepare, collaborating with various legal representatives, including our own Clifford Chance team and the JUSTICE legal team.
“We then received the news that the client’s conviction had been overturned. Our collaboration on this intervention demonstrates how lawyers across different teams can come together to make a meaningful impact and support fairness for all within our justice system.”
Libby Amos-Stone, counsel at Arnold and Porter**** said about the case she worked on: “After our client received a negative ruling from the employment tribunal, she filed the appeal herself but needed legal assistance to continue.
“We briefed counsel, assisted with drafting the appeal, produced the appeal documentation and supported the client through the hearing.
“It was a great outcome as the appeal on the point of law was successful and the substantive case went back to the tribunal.
“The key impact of the case was the recognition that the generalised anxiety disorder can constitute a disability. Initially, the tribunal ruled that the disorder suffered by our client did not qualify as a disability, but the appeal court clarified that the law had been applied incorrectly.
“Our client was incredibly grateful for our guidance and support, she knew the initial decision made by the tribunal was wrong and wanted to fight it, but without legal representation, she wouldn’t have been able to effectively present her case or explain the legal points. That’s where our work really made a difference.”
Notes to editors
*The 24th Pro Bono Week (3 to 7 November 2025) is organised by a committee that includes representatives from the legal professional bodies, pro bono charities, law schools and law firms. It aims to encourage members of the legal profession and law students across the four nations of the UK to volunteer their time, as well as highlighting pro bono work and promoting best practice.
In celebration of Pro Bono Week, LawWorks in partnership with the Law Society, will be holding a private roundtable discussion focused on our Major Incidents Response Plan on Wednesday 5 November.
The Major Incidents Response Plan is a centralised online platform to help coordinate pro bono advice from the legal profession in the event of a major incident.
Members of the legal pro bono panel for the Major Incidents Response Plan and stakeholders who deal with major incidents will be discussing an overview of incidents from the last 12 months, looking at the legal needs that arose and how to collaborate and promote the plan throughout England and Wales.
The week will also include events focusing on one main theme: Pro Bono in Action and three sub themes including:
- stories of impact
- win-win for professional and business development
- getting involved in pro bono work and making a difference
**JUSTICE, supported by Clifford Chance, is a legal charity that aims to provide and create a fair UK justice system that is accessible to everyone. Its work focuses in protecting the rule of law, challenging discrimination and inequality, building a people-centred justice system and increasing public understanding of legal rights.
***The Manchester 10 was a case about a group of 10 young Black men from Manchester who were convicted for conspiracy to murder or cause grievous bodily harm, based on evidence from a group chat.
****Arnold and Porter is an international law firm providing regulatory litigation and transactional legal services. Within this work, it also undertakes pro bono cases which help to ensure equal access to justice for all and to uphold the rule of law.
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
Press office contact: Kelis Edwards | 020 3657 0144