Pro bono
The provision of pro bono legal advice makes an important contribution to the delivery of justice. The public benefit from advice and representation which they need but are unable to afford.
Employees at Charles Russell support a range of pro bono initiatives but our philosophy as a Practice is to choose a small number of official causes (which are reviewed on a regular basis) in order that we have maximum impact on the few rather than minimum impact on the many.
Approximately 40% of Charles Russell's fee earners from across our broad range of service groups have provided pro bono legal assistance to those in need in the 12 month period to 31 March 2010, devoting over 1,700 hours to this worthwhile work valued at over £400,000. This represents a 40% increase in pro bono work carried out across the firm compared with the previous year. Crucial to this is the continued partner commitment to pro bono work at Charles Russell, with the CSR Committee being chaired by our senior partner, and with almost 40% of partners carrying out or supervising such work over the year.
Charles Russell were runners up in the Best Contribution by a Law Firm category at The LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2010. The awards celebrate the best legal pro bono activities undertaken by organisations and individuals and the positive impact it had on those helped and demonstrate our commitment to this activity, to view the awards, please follow this link: http://www.lawworks.org.uk/?id=awards-2010.
Bethnal Green Law Centre
www.legaladvicecentre.org.uk
The Centre is funded by several firms of solicitors, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and grant giving charities. It does vital work in one of the poorest areas of London advising on all areas of law such as employment, housing, consumer debt, and disputed benefits. Charles Russell volunteers undertake work for the Centre.
LawWorks
We are actively involved with LawWorks, an independent charity who support, promote and encourage a commitment to pro bono across the solicitors'profession.
RCJ Advice Centre
Charles Russell Family Service works on a pro bono basis at the Citizen's Advice Bureau at the Royal Courts of Justice in High Holborn. A number of people attend to provide free legal advice on divorce, child contact, adoption, cohabitation and other family-related issues.
Surrey Law Centre
http://www.surreycommunity.info/surreylawcentre
The Guildford Evening Advice Service gives initial information and advice and provides practical steps to deal with problems. Charles Russell lawyers volunteer at the Centre on a regular basis.