This Pro Bono Week marks 25 years of the national campaign, celebrating the legal profession’s contribution to access to justice and encouraging lawyers to consider how pro bono can continue to meet unmet legal needs in the years ahead.
At Stewarts, pro bono support has long been an important part of the way we help people facing the consequences of serious injury or illness. Our Legal Service provides free legal advice and practical support on issues extending beyond a compensation claim, from welfare benefits and financial concerns to housing, employment, and powers of attorney. The service has supported more than 7,600 people and their families over the past two decades.
Over the past year, our Pro Bono team has:
- helped 710 people
- provided more than 8,700 hours of pro bono support, valued at more over £2.5m
- helped recover nearly £600,000 from fault insurance policies
- secured the write-off of more than £30,000 of debt
- advised more than 335 people on welfare benefits.
Read more about the impact of our Pro Bono work in our responsible business report.
Behind these figures are individuals and families facing difficult and often complex circumstances.
Earlier this year, the team acted pro bono for Lucy Robinson, president of the European Spinal Cord Injury Federation, after NHS care arrangements presented significant barriers to her travelling internationally as part of her professional role. Jodee Mayer, our Pro Bono manager, supported Lucy in challenging the decision and highlighting the wider implications for professionals with a disability whose work requires international travel.
The case is one example of the breadth of issues our Pro Bono team helps people navigate and the practical difference access to specialist legal support can make. You can read more about Lucy’s case here.
Recognising our pro bono work
This year’s Pro Bono Week is particularly significant for Stewarts as our work has also received recognition at the Chambers UK Solicitor Awards.
Stewarts has been shortlisted for Pro Bono Firm of the Year, while Jodee Mayer has been shortlisted for DEI/Pro Bono: Outstanding Contribution. Jodee Mayer leads the day-to-day work of the Pro Bono team as Pro Bono manager.
The Outstanding Contribution award recognises individuals contributing to the progression of Pro Bono or DEI in the legal sector, with nominations considering the demonstrable impact of their work.
The two nominations are a welcome recognition of the work undertaken by our Pro Bono team, but, above all, Pro Bono Week provides an opportunity to recognise the difference this work makes to people at times when practical legal support can matter enormously.
