The National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey is a biennial survey of Australian firms with 50 or more full-time equivalent lawyers. The Survey was first conducted in 2008 and is published now in even years.
Through the Survey, the Centre has been able to build a detailed picture of the pro bono programs of Australia’s largest firms.
The data collected through the Survey covers topics such as:
- the amount of pro bono legal work undertaken by firms, including the average hours of pro bono per lawyer per year;
- the areas of law in which most requests for pro bono legal assistance are received;
- the sources of pro bono legal work (including pro bono referral schemes & organisations and community legal centres);
- the level of participation in pro bono programs within firms;
- the ways in which pro bono legal work is organised and coordinated;
- issues which impact on pro bono programs, such as management support;
- external influences, such as the National Pro Bono Target; and
- pro bono assistance in specific contexts, such as regional, rural and remote areas.
All data collected is confidential and the information provided in the Survey reports is de-identified.
Survey Reports
Sixth National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2018)
Released February 2019
Fifth National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2016)
Fourth National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2014)
• Final Report
• Report Extract (including Executive Summary)
• Media Releases: Final Report and Interim Report
• Interim Report
Third National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2012)
• Final Report
• Media Releases: Final Report and Interim Report
• Interim Report
Second National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2010)
• Final Report
• Media Releases: Final Report and Interim Report
• Interim Report
First National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey (2008)
For other pro bono surveys, including those of National Pro Bono Target signatories, individual solicitors and individual barristers, see Our Publications. The Australian Bureau of Statistics last reported on pro bono legal services in Legal Services. Australia 2007-08.