Barristers in the Australian state of Victoria are piloting a pro bono scheme to assist unrepresented litigants in civil cases. The scheme has attracted more than 80 volunteers, including senior counsel. The scheme is initially targeting the Court of Appeal Civil Division, due to that court’s large number of applications from unrepresented litigants.
Jane Dixon SC, one of founding barristers, said the scheme demonstrates that the Bar is willing to help address Victoria’s legal aid crisis. Dixon said that the scheme is not a direct response to legal aid cuts in Victoria but rather is a demonstration that the Bar has “substantial goodwill in terms of its preparedness to engage in pro bono work”.
The programme is a pilot scheme but may become permanent if it proves beneficial and helps to clear backlogs. The scheme organisers are also asking solicitors to participate.
Click here to read an article from Lawyers Weekly.
By way of comparison, Ireland’s civil legal aid system is also inadequately resourced to meet demand, with waiting lists of up to 18 months for an initial consultation in some cases. FLAC has long campaigned for a comprehensive civil legal aid service. A number of initiatives exist whereby legal professionals provide their services free of charge to those in need. PILA operates a pro bono referral service which matches expertise in the legal profession with specific legal needs in NGOs, community groups and law centres. This builds the capacity of organisations to use law in the public interest through legal education, law reform and litigation. FLAC operates a network of Legal Advice Centres throughout the country where volunteer solicitors and barristers help members of the public, free of charge.
The Bar Council runs a Voluntary Assistance Scheme through which barristers provide services to NGOs working with members of the community who cannot afford legal services.
It should be noted that pro bono work by lawyers is intended to complement and not to substitute civil legal aid. Click here to read more about FLAC’s campaign work on civil legal aid.
Click here for more information about FLAC and other independent law centres in Ireland.
Click here for more information about the Bar Council’s Voluntary Assistance Scheme.