New legislation entitled The Legal Profession and Public Notaries Amendment Bill 2012 has been passed by the Victorian State Government which will permit in-house lawyers to partake in pro bono legal work in a similar way to those lawyers in private practice and those in-house in other areas of Australia. The legislation modifies the Legal Profession Act 2004 to remove restrictions that impeded those who held practicing certificates from participating in pro bono legal practice. Previously, practicing certificates available to Victoria’s in-house lawyers only allowed lawyers to provide legal advice to their employers.
Director of the National Pro Bono Resource Centre, John Corker commented that “the increased pro bono capacity that results from the reforms is great news for the many disadvantaged and marginalised Victorians who cannot afford legal assistance.” He commented further in relation to removal of restrictions that “now that this barrier is being removed in Victoria, it is a good time for national corporations to develop their pro bono practices and take advantage of this new opportunity to give back to the community.”
Click here to see an article by Pro Bono News Australia.