The Lord Chief Justice in Northern Ireland has announced plans for a pilot pro bono scheme which would provide free legal advice to low-income persons in civil law cases who do not qualify for Legal Aid.
The announcement was made by Sir Declan Morgan during his annual address at the opening of the new legal year. At present the Northern Ireland Bar Council and Law Society are in discussion about this pro bono scheme, which would focus on court practice and procedure for litigants in person.
The senior judge commented on the notable increase in persons before the courts who are representing themselves. He stated "Pro bono is an established part of the legal world elsewhere. Such work has citizenship benefits for the firms involved. It offers valuable experience to young lawyers as well as those with more experience. Most importantly, it is a route to access to justice for those who could otherwise face real problems. I am excited by the potential for pro bono work in Northern Ireland and look forward to working with the profession to see how it might be developed here."
Click here to view Sir Declan Morgan's speech.
Click here to view an article of the pro bono pilot scheme from the Belfast Telegraph.
Meanwhile, a new initiative to promote the alternatives to court has been launched following a unique partnership between the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, the Law Centre (NI) and School of Law at Queen's University Belfast.
The new booklet called Alternatives to Court is written by Dr Jack Anderson of the Law School at Queen's. It shows members of the public that there are other ways of dealing with many types of dispute; how these alternatives to court might work; and when it is appropriate to use them. It also includes a detailed directory of dispute resolution services available in Northern Ireland appropriately organised by specific types of disputes. The initiative was endorsed at its launch by the Minister of Justice, David Ford, and the Hon Mr Justice Weatherup of the High Court, representing the NI Courts and Tribunal Service.
The booklet is available on NI Direct; the NI Ombudsman's website; by contacting the Law Centre (NI) on 028 90 244401; and, over the coming months, in Courts, Citizens Advice Bureaus; solicitors' offices, libraries etc across Northern Ireland.