Legacies generate more than £3billion a year for good causes in the UK, which represents 28% of charity income. However, research shows that 35% of people want to leave money to charity in their will, but only 6.3% do.[1]
Remember A Charity Week will tackle the most prevalent legacy giving myth and barrier: the belief that people can’t leave a gift to charity in their will if they wish to support their family and friends. In reality, the UK’s will-writing environment gives the public the flexibility to donate any sum, large or small, to a range of causes, while ensuring their loved ones are taken care of.
Probate solicitors play a key role in helping people to leave a gift to a cause that they care about, with a record level of 68% of solicitors/will-writers saying they now always or sometimes raise the topic of gifts in wills with their clients.[2]
Alasdair Douglas, Chair of the LawWorks Board of Trustees said:
“Your will is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It’s the only way to ensure that the people and causes you care about are looked after. If you believe in access to justice for all, regardless of the means to pay, then a gift to LawWorks will help to ensure that for future generations.”
LawWorks has been working since 1997 to promote, support and develop pro bono legal advice in England and Wales. The need for free legal advice has increased each year as legal aid has been cut and some law centres closed. The current pandemic has exacerbated the problems faced by disadvantaged individuals and the expected economic downturn will affect many lives for years to come. LawWorks believes that pro bono is not, and should not be seen as, an alternative to legal aid nor funding for the vital work of law centres and advice agencies, but it makes an important and profound contribution to enabling access to justice.
You can find out more about leaving a gift to LawWorks on our website.
Notes for editors
For more information about LawWorks contact: Sarah Taylor at sarah.taylor@lawworks.org.uk
About LawWorks
LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) is a registered 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. LawWorks is supported by the Law Society of England and Wales, the independent professional body for solicitors. For further information about LawWorks (including membership) visit: www.lawworks.org.uk.
[1] Remember A Charity’s Impact Report 2019
[2] Remember A Charity’s Impact Report 2019