Beyond the billable hour

Championed across the business, our pro bono programme provides an outlet for colleagues to use their legal skills and expertise to help others. Every lawyer has up to 50 hours annually that they can dedicate to giving free legal advice to individuals, charities and social enterprises, enabling them to thrive. And the opportunities to do this are global, through partnerships with TrustLaw and LawWorks, with support from each of our offices.

Here are a few recent examples of how we've helped.

Street Law

Our interactive programme teaches young people about their rights and responsibilities, along with how laws are created. The sessions create mock trials, debates and discussions around areas of laws including human rights, crime, employment, housing and personal injury. At one participating school in Edinburgh:

• 96% of students agreed or strongly agreed they enjoyed the programme
• 92% of students agreed or strongly agreed the programme improved their knowledge and understanding of law
  
  

Paris terrorist attack 

The attack on the Rue Copernic Synagogue in Paris in 1980 left four dead and 46 wounded. One of our partners, David Père, has represented several victims of the attack and the Paris Dispute Resolution team has also assisted the French Association of Victims of Terrorism. 

Royal British Legion

We’ve been supporting UK armed forces veterans and serving members with their injury and disability compensation appeals. Many have faced life-changing injuries – both physical and mental – and struggled to get the level of support needed to move forward. Our colleagues have helped them win the compensation they deserved.