Barristers encouraged to sign up to the National Pro Bono Target

07/04/2021

The Australian Pro Bono Centre warmly invites members of the New South Wales Bar to become signatories to the National Pro Bono Target.

What is the Target?

The Target is a voluntary and aspirational target of at least 35 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer per year. Both individual barristers and barristers’ chambers can sign up.

There are over 200 current signatories to the Target, including a number of barristers from around Australia (along with law firms, in-house legal teams and individual solicitors). You can view a list of current signatories here.

Signatories to the Target have collectively reported over 4.3 million hours of pro bono legal work since its commencement in 2007.

Why should you sign up to the Target?

Through involvement in pro bono work, barristers are able to use their unique skills to support a wide range of vulnerable individuals in our community and provide vital legal assistance to community organisations. Many barristers are already helping others in this way. Other barristers are keen to participate and indeed many feel an ethical professional responsibility to do so. Although the Target is entirely voluntary and unenforceable, becoming a signatory prompts involvement in pro bono work and helps each barrister to set a goal for the amount of pro bono work they will undertake each year.

Moreover, by signing up to the Target, the Centre is able to formally recognise and record that work and, in doing so, inspire other barristers to become involved. The Centre publishes a de-identified report on pro bono hours performed by Target signatories each year and, through a variety of publications and events, showcases a range of pro bono work and lawyers involved to recognise this dedication of time and skills and its impact.

Significant professional and personal benefits ensue from using one's skills to help those in need. Please see the link below to learn more and sign up.

How to sign up to the Target

Please click here to learn more about the Target, and to become a signatory.

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre by email at info@probonocentre.org.au.

---