When groceries and rent are day-to-day concerns, hiring a lawyer is usually out of the question. Besides, many people aren't sure what their rights are or are intimidated by the legal system. Yet if their problems are unaddressed, they're going to have a lot of far more serious issues develop.
Our vision is to make sure people can access the help they need to address their legal problems.The Bar pro bono ensures that everyone should have access to legal advice regardless of their ability to pay. It is dedicated to increasing access to justice. This has been recognized as a fundamental right in a civilized society from the dawn of democracy. Surely it must remain a litmus test for a democratic society that everyone has access to legal advice. What is the point in having rights, which people are not able to enforce?
This probably sounds a little like preaching and I am no preacher.Yet if I were a preacher and this were my sermon for the day I would not turn for my inspiration to the scriptures - although they are an important and inspiring source for a discussion of access to justice. Instead I would turn to the words of the Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist - Marcus Tullius Cicero who said
“The law is the highest reason. It is implanted in Nature, which commands what ought to be done and forbids the opposite.” When we have taken from the law by denial of access or equal application, we have violated Nature; we have done damage to reason.”
So, if you do not believe in supporting access to justice as a matter of common humanity; believe in it as essential to economic development. Please dig deep – ‘every little helps’ and will help us to help people who desperately need legal assistance but who cannot afford it and are not covered by public funding.So please dig deep and donate now.
The bar pro bono currently has more than 2000 panel members with over 250 QCs. With a staff of five and a dedicated management committee the Unit hosts a number of events and is involved in collaborative projects promoting pro bono projects and extending access to pro bono assistance.
