From 5th - 10th November 2012, the 11th Annual Pro Bono week took place across the United Kingdom. This event was a week long campaign to celebrate the contributions of lawyers to the pro bono sector and to highlight the role of pro bono work in ensuring access to justice.
The campaign, an initiative started by Pro Bono UK, is sponsored by the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and the College of Law. The itinerary included thirty events and highlights included; the launch of the campaign, a LawWorks Student Conference and a reception for Members of Parliament hosted by the law officers.
The publication of the Pro Bono Yearbook of England and Wales, coincided with pro bono week. Jon Robins, in his editorial for the Pro Bono Yearbook, commented on the significant pressure which is placed on the pro bono movement as a result of cuts to legal aid.
Commenting on cutbacks, Mr Robins said “These are challenging times, but the strength of the pro bono movement – it seems to me – is in its resilience, energy and its ability to rise to a challenge.” "The involvement of lawyers in the pro bono movement despite the downturn in the economy is a testament to the commitment of those involved in ensuring access to justice for all."
Click here to read an article on the UK’s law firms most memorable pro bono moments of 2012.