Welcome to the fourth edition of the Australian Pro Bono Manual, published in November 2022. The Manual is now available entirely online, which allows for more frequent updating as necessary. The Australian Pro Bono Centre welcomes comments, suggestions and contributions from pro bono practitioners and the broader legal community. You can contact the Centre at info@probonocentre.org.au. |
- Foreword by The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
- About the Manual
- Acknowledgements
- About the Australian Pro Bono Centre
- Abbreviations & Glossary
PART 1: PLANNING, DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING A PROGRAM
-
- Chapter 1.1 Planning pro bono for the firm
- Chapter 1.2 Defining pro bono legal work
- Chapter 1.3 Pro bono policy
- Chapter 1.4 Promoting a pro bono culture
- Chapter 1.5 Surveying interest
- Chapter 1.6 Identifying needs & sources of pro bono legal work
- Chapter 1.7 Current models of pro bono legal work
- 1.7.1 Legal advice and representation
- 1.7.2 Law reform and policy work
- 1.7.3 Community legal education
- 1.7.4 Clinics
- 1.7.5 Secondments to community legal organisations
- 1.7.6 Co-counselling
- 1.7.7 ‘Secondary consults’ or ‘phone a friend’ assistance
- 1.7.8 Partnerships with tertiary institutions
- 1.7.9 Virtual delivery of legal services
- 1.7.10 Collaborative service delivery programs
- 1.7.11 International pro bono
- Chapter 1.8 Setting targets & budgets for pro bono legal work & programs
- Chapter 1.9 Managing the pro bono practice
- Chapter 1.10 Participation
- Chapter 1.11 Crediting & recognising pro bono legal work
- Chapter 1.12 Costs & disbursements
- Chapter 1.13 Evaluation and impact measurement
- Chapter 1.14 Training & skills
- 1.14.1 Mismatch between lawyers’ expertise & clients’ needs
- 1.14.2 Working with clients who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- 1.14.3 Working with clients with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- 1.14.4 Working with clients requiring interpreters
- 1.14.5 Working with clients with disabilities
- 1.14.6 Delivering legal services virtually
- 1.14.7 Challenging client behaviour
- 1.14.8 Self-care and resilience
- Chapter 1.15 A mid-sized firm perspective
- Chapter 1.16 A small law firm perspective
PART 2: PROCEDURES & PRACTICE ISSUES
PART 3: THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL ASSISTANCE SECTOR
- Chapter 3.1 Legal Aid Commissions
- Chapter 3.2 Community Legal Centres, Indigenous Legal Organisations & other legal organisations
- Chapter 3.3 Pro Bono Referral Schemes & Organisations
PART 4: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 4.1 Partner support
- 4.2 Defining pro bono work
- 4.3 Pro bono targets
- 4.4 Pro bono budgets
- 4.5 Sourcing pro bono legal work
- 4.6 Intake procedures
- 4.7 Expanding the firm’s areas of expertise
- 4.8 Participation in the pro bono program
- 4.9 Writing off billable time
- 4.10 Matter ‘blow-outs’
- 4.11 Dealing with clients
- 4.12 Part-time pro bono coordinators
PART 5: APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Precedents
- Using precedents
- Pro Bono Policy
- Pro Bono Policy [Word Doc, 69KB]
- Letters of engagement
- Letter of Engagement [Word Doc, 92KB]
- Letter of engagement – Costs Agreement[Word Doc, 112 KB]
- Secondment agreements
- Secondment Agreement – Firm and Host Organisation [Word Doc, 88KB]
- Letter to Secondee from Firm [Word Doc, 89KB]
- Memorandum of understanding
- Memorandum of Understanding – Fixed Term Relationship [Word Doc, 80 KB]
- Memorandum of Understanding – Clinic Project [Word Doc, 79 KB]
- Evaluation templates
- Project evaluation template [Word Doc, 61 KB]
- Theory of Change Template [Word Doc, 58 KB]
Appendix 2: Australian Pro Bono Best Practice Guide
- What is best practice in pro bono? [PDF, 437 KB]
- What is best practice in pro bono? (abbreviated version) [PDF, 301 KB]