Casework volunteer

Who we are

The Bar Pro Bono Unit is the Bar’s national charity, based in the National Pro Bono Centre on Chancery Lane, London, which helps to find pro bono legal assistance from volunteer barristers. We can assist with:

• advice, representation and help at mediation
• cases in all legal areas
• cases where proceedings have not yet been started
• cases in all tribunals and courts in England and Wales

Pro bono assistance is only available to those who cannot afford to pay and who cannot obtain public funding (Legal Aid). We are a small staff dealing with over two thousand cases each year, and rely a great deal on Casework Volunteers, who come into our office and help applicants get the assistance they need.

Casework volunteer

This is a fantastic opportunity to help a small charity that works closely with the Bar. It will give you exposure to the practical working of the courts and the needs of litigants in person. You will learn a great deal about the real workings of the Bar as a profession and you will come into contact with a wide range of areas of law.

You will assist and support the Casework Team from the initial request for assistance, to the point of allocating cases to a barrister. Some of the tasks include:

• Drafting case summaries using the case papers provided by individuals who need legal assistance; these case summaries are then used by experienced barristers when reviewing the file
• Drafting case allocation summaries which are used to try to find volunteer barristers around the country to take on the case on a pro bono basis.
• Taking telephone calls from the public and providing updates to existing applicants

What we are looking for

We are looking for 25 dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to volunteer at our office for one day per week over a four month period. The Unit can offer a degree of flexibility around other work experience or commitments.

You will have an interest in law and be motivated to help those who cannot afford legal assistance.  As a key part of our team you will possess strong inter-personal skills and be ready to adapt to the changing need of the casework team.  You must have completed at least one year of law-related study/work and ideally have some experience in the voluntary sector.  Office experience is preferred but not essential.

You may state a preference for when you would like to volunteer on the application form and we will do our best to accommodate it. We can discuss your availability further at your interview if you are shortlisted. 

How to apply

Please complete our application form (available to download at: www.barprobono.org.uk) and email it to [email protected]. Please note that CVs and covering letters will not be considered.

The deadline for applications is Monday 27th August 2018 at 11pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at the Unit’s offices at the National Pro Bono Centre on Chancery Lane during the week commencing 10th September 2018. As a small charity with limited staff and resources we are not able to provide feedback or discuss the volunteer applications process with you.

Volunteer expenses

Casework Volunteers may claim an out of pocket allowance in respect of reasonable travel costs up to £50 a week and other incidental expenses (such as lunch) up to a maximum of £5 per day.