Legal Help for CLCs, ATSILS and Legal Aid
What pro bono assistance is available?
Pro bono legal services can be used to support the work of CLCs, ATSILS and Legal Aid by:
- Allowing you to refer complex matters which require different expertise or capacity
- Providing extra resources for your matter (for example, research, expertise, or representation from a barrister)
- Providing opportunities for partnership on specific projects or on a long-term basis
- Providing other expertise, training and resources
According to the most recent National Census of CLCs published by the National Association of Community Legal Centres:
- Of the 140 CLCs that responded to a question about working with pro bono partners, 54.3% (76 CLCs) reported having a pro bono partnership.
- 72,047 hours of pro bono assistance was provided to these centres and their clients over the 2013/14 financial year, including 55,806 hours from lawyers for direct service delivery to clients.
The top 3 most common types of pro bono assistance in 2013/2014 were (in order):
- Pro bono lawyers providing direct service delivery to clients (80.3% or 57 CLCs)
- Pro bono lawyers giving advice or assistance to the centre (66.2% or 47 CLCs), and
- Specialist pro bono lawyers advising centre lawyers in particular areas of expertise for use in client matters (50.7% or 36 CLCs).
Where can I find more information?
For general information about how pro bono can assist your organisation:
- refer to our publication Pro Bono Partnerships and Models: A Practical Guide to What Works for practical tips on creating successful partnerships between CLCs and law firms, with examples,
- contact the Australian Pro Bono Centre, or
- contact a pro bono referral scheme or organisation in your state or territory.
You can also find more detailed information and links below. Are you looking for:
- Pro bono legal assistance for your client?
- Help with a pro bono partnership or project?
- Help finding suitable volunteers?
Please note that the Australian Pro Bono Centre is an independent centre of expertise on pro bono legal services in Australia and does not provide legal assistance or operate a referral scheme.
I am looking for pro bono legal assistance for MY CLIENT
- You can refer clients to our Links to Legal Help page
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to assist you to refer your client to appropriate pro bono assistance.
- Some law firms have well-established pro bono practices that may be willing to accept direct referrals. The National Law Firm Directory contains contact details and other information about the pro bono practices of Australian law firms that you can search by area of law once you have registered for access to the Directory.
- The ATSILS Pro Bono Guide provides information specifically for ATSILS on pro bono service providers, how to obtain pro bono assistance, and the range of services that might be available.
- If your client is an organisation, see our legal help page for Not-for-Profit Organisations.
I am looking for help with a PRO BONO PROJECT or PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP
- Our publication Pro Bono Partnerships and Models: A Practical Guide to What Works contains practical information on what works well in collaborative pro bono projects, including tips and case studies on how to attract pro bono partners and maintain effective partnerships.
- The National Law Firm Directory contains contact details and other information about well-established pro bono practices of Australian law firms that may be interested in pro bono partnership opportunities which you can access once you have registered for the Directory.
- The ATSILS Pro Bono Guide contains information specifically for ATSILS about obtaining pro bono assistance, including via collaborative partnerships.
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to assist with brokering pro bono relationships.
I am looking for help with FINDING SUITABLE VOLUNTEERS
- Advertise volunteer (and paid) opportunities at your organisation on the Centre’s Social Justice Opportunities website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. This is a free service.
- Provide information to potential volunteer lawyers and law students about whether or not your community legal centre is currently seeking volunteers on the Centre’s CLC Volunteers website.