The project aims to enable access to initial legal advice, complementing existing services and sources of support. Called ‘Free Legal Answers’ it will make it easier for lawyers to provide pro bono advice through the flexibility of an online platform, reducing the need to physically attend centres to meet clients at specific times.
LawWorks, a charity which promotes and supports pro bono by solicitors and law schools, has been gifted the softwear for the ‘Free Legal Answers’ website supported in the United States by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Originally developed as an online pro bono clinic by the US firm Baker, Donelson and launched as Online Tennessee Justice in 2010, it was expanded to ‘ABA Free Legal Answers’ through the ABA’s Bono and Public Service Committee. To date, 42 states are providing or committed to providing the service.
The website enables people who cannot afford to pay for legal advice to register and ask a legal question – the focus is on initial and one-off legal advice. Volunteer lawyers can preview the questions and respond at any time and from any location – they can also contact the person asking the question if further information is needed.
Deloitte UK is providing management and technical expertise to assist LawWorks in configuring and testing the website to fit the legal environment in England and Wales. This is part of Deloitte’s ‘One Million Futures’ social impact initiative, which aims to help one million people to get to where they want to be.
The Access to Justice Foundation have given LawWorks a grant to fund a dedicated project administrator post for the service, which will include verifying lawyers registering to take part.
The project will be supported by an advisory group with participants from firms, in-house legal teams, charities and legal advice and information providers. The aim is to launch an initial pilot later this year.
The website will provide signposting to online information and resources (including eligibility for legal aid) and to other sources of legal advice. The participating lawyers will be provided with support to help identify where someone may be eligible for legal aid. All advice provided through the website will be insured.
The Chief Executive of LawWorks, Martin Barnes, said:
“Pro bono is not and should not be seen as an alternative to legal aid, but it can help enable people to access the timely advice they need and which they cannot afford to pay for. We are excited about the potential for ‘Free Legal Answers’ to provide new pro bono opportunities for lawyers willing to give their time and expertise for free, and we are consulting on how the service can best complement existing online, pro bono and free advice provision."
The President of the Law Society of England and Wales Christina Blacklaws said:
“Free Legal Answers will help people who may not be able to visit a lawyer in person to get the legal advice they need. It also provides flexibility that will enable more solicitors to work pro bono if they wish to, as we know many do. As a LawWorks trustee, I am immensely proud of the charity’s work and of the profession’s commitment to pro bono and access to justice.”
Buck Lewis, speaking on behalf of Baker, Donelson, said:
“With the help of over 5000 volunteer attorneys, our pro bono web site has helped over 40,000 clients in the states. We could not be more delighted to make this access to justice tool available to the UK.”
Notes for editors:
- For more information contact: Martin Barnes at martin.barnes@lawworks.org.uk
- LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) is a charity working in England and Wales which helps to connect volunteer lawyers and law students with people in need of legal advice, who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay, and with the not for profit organisations that support them and their communities. LawWorks supports a network of independent pro bono advice clinics across England and Wales, and facilitates the provision of free legal advice for smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations. For further information about LawWorks (including membership) visit: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/
- LawWorks is supported by the Law Society of England and Wales, the independent professional body for solicitors.
- The Free Legal Answers website in the United States is available at: https://abafreelegalanswers.org/
- The Access to Justice Foundation aims is to improve access to justice for the most vulnerable in society. It does this by raising funds and distributing them to organisations that support those who need legal help but cannot afford it. This year the Access to Justice Foundation is celebrating its tenth anniversary. As part of its celebrations they will be launching a campaign this autumn to promote the use of pro bono costs orders, which also turn ten this year. For more information, contact Laura Cassidy, Fundraising and Development Manager:lauracassidy@atjf.org.uk The Access to Justice Foundation’s website is at: http://www.atjf.org.uk/
Free legal answers briefing: 
Free legal answers briefing