Advocate is the Bar’s national pro bono charity and wants to make it possible for barristers to be part of the solution and help effectively to address the growing need to support individuals in desperate need of legal assistance who cannot obtain legal aid or afford counsel.

The Framework provides the opportunity to strengthen Chambers’ pro bono commitment and makes it possible for everyone, both barristers and staff, to contribute.

By signing up to the Framework, Chambers has committed to four actions:

1. to appoint a Pro Bono Champion
2. to action pro bono work as a Chambers
3. to organise a seminar on pro bono
4. to report on pro bono work done to strengthen the pro bono ethos in Chambers.

The benefits of establishing The Framework include helping the increasing number of people in desperate need of legal assistance who cannot afford to pay and cannot obtain legal aid and supporting members of Chambers to make use of the opportunities that pro bono work presents to develop their skills and expand their practice.

Further details are available on Advocate’s website.