PRO BONO

Lawyers in Birmingham and the West Midlands have a long tradition of providing their time and expertise free of charge, to both individuals, charities and support groups unable to afford legal advice.

This type of work is known as Pro Bono.

Many of the big London law firms have taken on high profile pro bono cases, such as defending Death Row prisoners in the Caribbean, and in so doing have both provided help where needed as well as making a name for themselves.

In reality, much of the pro bono work undertaken - particularly in the regions - is less glamorous, but nonetheless vital for those on the receiving end of advice.

Birmingham Law Society and its members are involved in a variety of pro bono initiatives. These include the Birmingham Employment Rights Advice Line (BERAL), which provides free guidance and advice on employment issues to members of the public via telephone. The confidential service is offered through Saltley & Nechells Law Centre, supported by the Birmingham College of Law, and staffed by volunteers and qualified local employment lawyers who give their time free of charge. Please see below for an article around BERAL that was released 14 June 2006.

In addition, Birmingham Law Society members supervise student volunteers at the Student Law Clinic Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) at Birmingham University. The legal teams provide advice on a range of issues - including academic, financial, housing and immigration issues, for undergraduates at the University.

There are, in fact, many sources of free legal advice and Birmingham Law Society is able to act as a signposting service for the general public.

BIRMINGHAM LEGAL ADVICE PROJECT WINS TOP PRO BONO AWARD

A free telephone advice service based at The College of Law in Birmingham and run by students and young lawyers to help employees with employment problems has won a top award for pro bono work from the Law Societys Young Solicitors Group (YSG).

Wragge and Co Solicitors have been working with lawyers from 8 other firms and chambers in Birmingham and students of the Colleges Legal Advice Centre in an outreach initiative of Saltley and Nechells Law Centre. They were given the YSG Best Team Award at the start of National Pro Bono Week (5-9 June).

A cash award will be used by the Law Centre to expand the scheme. The award was presented at the Law Societys London headquarters in Chancery Lane in recognition of the dedicated effort of members of the profession in the first ten years of qualification.

Birmingham Employment Rights Advice Line (BERAL) has advised more than 400 clients since it was set up in 2003 by Professor Richard Grimes.  Richard who is the former Director of Pro Bono Services at the College along with Steve Butts of Wragge & Co and Tom Pettitt - Manager of Saltley and Nechells Law Centre had initially identified a real need for such an initial advice service in Birmingham.

Clients access the service by calling a confidential 24-hour phone line (0121 697 8055) where they leave their name and contact number. A BERAL student representative will call them back within three days to request more information. Cases are then referred within a week to one of 20 volunteer employment lawyers who telephone clients during the weekly clinics on Wednesday evenings with advice on what to do next.