On 11 June 2025, the Pro Bono Impact Report was launched by Eilis Barry, Chief Executive of FLAC at the McCann FitzGerald offices.
Following the launch of the Impact Report several panel discussions took place on the theme of “Amplifying Impact and Access to Justice”. The first panel discussed “What One Person Can Do” and features Michael Kinsey BL and Rachel Nolan of Nolan Solicitors. The second panel featured Jane O’Sullivan of Community Law & Mediation and Assumpta O’Connell of McCann FitzGerald. The final panel featured Oisin O’Reilly of Outhouse LGBT+ Centre and Martina Genockey of Women’s Aid.
The Impact Report 2024 provides a snapshot of the work being done by Irish volunteer lawyers to bridge the gap for those who cannot afford the legal services they require. It highlights how Irish volunteer lawyers have collaborated with each other, and NGOs, in times of crisis to provide legal assistance to those most in need at vulnerable times in their lives. The Report states that 28 Pro Bono Pledge Signatories have collectively performed 44,906 hours of pro bono legal work last year. 52% of law firms said that lawyers in their firm completed over 10 hours of pro bono work on average, 52% of law firms reported that 50% or more of their solicitors participated in pro bono hours, while 47% of law firms reported a partner participation rate of 50% or higher.
The report also includes case studies highlighting the work done by various law firms and individuals such as the Legal Educations Project promoting Legal Literacy. One law firm conducted a project to promote early access to justice for students in DEIS schools through the delivery of quality education, through five interactive lessons by 67 lawyers representing 630 pro bono hours.
Another case study was the collaboration between four law firms in family reunification and supporting the KIND (Kids in Need of Defence) Project. The KIND project operated in many countries across the globe, providing training and supervision to pro bono lawyers enabling them to take on cases in an area outside their usual expertise.
Other case studies included an Afghan admission programme, legal support for students with university, a legal information clinic in partnership with Women’s Aid and much more.
The Pro Bono Pledge Ireland was developed in November 2020 by an independent grouping of law firms, barrister and in house legal teams with a presence in Ireland who came together to affirm their commitment to delivering pro bono services in Ireland. The Pledge is coordinated by PILA (Public Interest Law Alliance), and is the first collaborative effort in Ireland to highlight the shared professional responsibility of lawyers to promote access to justice and to provide pro bono legal assistance to those in need. Since its launch in 2020, the Pledge has secured the support of 51 Law firms, 40 Barrister, 2 in-house legal teams, and 8 individual solicitors.
The report was launched in the context of Pro Bono Week 2025. Ahead of the week, Eilis Barry, Chief Executive of FLAC, said: “Pro Bono Week 2025 is focused on bringing free legal assistance to the community and using its power to achieve meaningful social change.
Pro bono is an important component of Ireland’s access to justice architecture. At its most effective, it can address the barriers to justice faced by people experiencing discrimination and disadvantage and who often have multiple, inter-related legal issues.
I salute all those who provide legal services free of charge for their inspiration and commitment to social justice, equality and human rights.”
Several events took place this pro bono week running from the 9th to the 13th June. The week commenced with PILA hosting the in person “What Can Pro Bono Do for Your NGO” event, in which lawyers from leading law firms and barristers delivered a session on what pro bono is and how can the NGO community benefit from it.