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Pro Bono Scheme

The Pro Bono Scheme unites firms willing to provide pro bono assistance for disadvantaged members of the community in need of legal services.

The Pro Bono Scheme operates on the basis that pro bono work includes legal services provided on a free or substantially reduced fee basis for people who are cannot afford a solicitor and are NOT eligible for Legal Aid.

Funded by the Public Purpose Fund, the Scheme has been running since 1992 and refers eligible applicants to Pro Bono solicitors across the state every year. The Scheme has well-established links with other pro bono referral organisations, pro bono departments in large firms, and the NSW Bar Association.

Benefits for firms

• Convenient – cases matched according to a firm’s location and areas of expertise.
• Time-saving – the Scheme provides firms with a case summary, including a chronology of events and legal documents.
• Supportive – the Scheme may be able to assist with the photocopying of documents.
• No obligation – the decision to accept a matter is at the discretion of the firm.
• Cost-effective – certain expenses related to a referred matter may be reimbursed on application to the Pro Bono Disbursement Trust Fund.
• Peer recognition – join a community of fellow solicitors committed to pro bono work and expand contacts with networking opportunities.

Application process

For more information about the eligibility requirements and application procedures for members of the public go to the Pro Bono Scheme page in the For the Community section of this website.

Information on setting fees

Pro bono work is performed at no fee or at a substantially reduced fee. In setting a substantially reduced fee, firms should abide by the spirit of the Scheme to help people in need.

Since substantially reduced fees will vary from firm to firm, clients need guidance on real costs. If a client can contribute a certain flat fee, this should be explicit in the costs agreement. For more information on setting fees and related matters such as GST, see Handy hints for pro bono lawyers.

To help solicitors prepare a costs agreement for clients under the Scheme that complies with the Legal Profession Act 2004, the Law Society has produced the Costs Agreement For the Law Society’s Pro Bono Scheme - Civil Matters (excluding Family Law Act Matters).

Claiming expenses

Legal practitioners who accept matters from the Pro Bono Scheme may be able to access the Pro Bono Disbursement Trust Fund (ABN 130 886 812 86). Disbursements incurred in pro bono matters may be refundable. To claim expenses a firm must:

1. Download the Application to the Trustees of the Pro Bono Disbursement Trust Fund Form 
2. Return completed form, including client’s signature, together with receipts to the Pro Bono Scheme.

Eligibility criteria

Any law firm in New South Wales with a commitment and capacity to undertake pro bono work is welcome to apply to the Pro Bono Scheme. Firms, not individuals are registered with the Scheme.

A principal or partner of the firm must nominate a solicitor who will be responsible for undertaking the work or allocating pro bono matters with the firm. The solicitor will be the contact point at the firm for the Pro Bono Scheme.

Register your firm

To register your firm call the Law Society’s Solicitor Referral Officer on (02) 9926 0300, email cad@lawsociety.com.au or complete the registration form for the Solicitor Referral Service and Pro Bono Scheme and return it to the Law Society.

More information

For more information, please telephone the Pro Bono Scheme Solicitor on (02) 9926 0379.