Registered Charity No: 1064274 (England & Wales).

LawWorks (the operating name for the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) is a charity working to enable access to justice through connecting people to free legal advice.

Covid-19 has already had a significant impact on the vulnerable groups and communities supported by clinics on the LawWorks network, our members and volunteers. Many people will suffer from loss of employment, difficulty accessing benefits, housing issues, and domestic abuse, and these issues are likely to continue long after the immediate crisis is over.

We connect volunteer lawyers, trainees and law students with individuals in need, who are not eligible for legal aid and who cannot afford to pay. LawWorks’ varied volunteering programmes include:

  • supporting lawyers to assist individuals beyond initial advice by representing them on welfare benefits, unpaid wages and community care cases (secondary specialisation);
  • brokering legal advice for community groups and smaller charities, enabling them to better support their beneficiaries;
  • enabling lawyers to provide free legal advice to people on low incomes on civil legal questions through Free Legal Answers (an online platform);
  • working with Pro Bono Connect to match barristers and solicitors on civil matters for individuals, charities and community groups who cannot afford legal advice or representation.

LawWorks also supports a network of over 300 local independent advice clinics across England and Wales, staffed by volunteer lawyers and law students. The clinics in our network provide advice and information on a range of legal issues, including housing, employment, family law, and welfare benefits. Timely access to legal help can enable people to keep their accommodation, prevent loss of employment and income, and avoid problems escalating.

We support volunteer advisers with training, information and resources, giving them the confidence and skills to make a difference to people’s lives.

LawWorks is committed to supporting, promoting and encouraging a commitment to pro bono across the legal profession. We believe that by working together we can achieve more and increase the number of people and communities we support across England and Wales.

As a result of the Covid-19 crisis the need for our work is greater than ever. By leaving a gift in your will you can help us to ensure that those most in need will have access to justice at the most challenging times in their lives.

If you would like to know more about how you can support our work now or in the future, please contact us at fundraising@lawworks.org.uk