Six firms have formed a pro bono network marking a move to improve access to justice across the country. The initiative, christened the Framework for Collaborative Pro Bono in Aotearoa, has brought together six firms as founding signatories.
The so-called pro bono framework, spearheaded by Te Ara Ture, the network leader and pro bono clearinghouse, draws inspiration from successful models abroad, including the Australian Pro Bono Centre and the UK Collaborative Plan. T
Core Objectives
The Framework is built on four key pillars to build collaboration between the firms relating to pro bono work and fostering a collective approach to legal aid, improving access to justice by addressing legal aid gaps and offering representation, setting targets to have least 25 hours of pro bono legal work per full-time equivalent lawyer has been established and creating greater awareness of pro bono work.
Measuring Impact
Participating law firms will report annually against the pro bono target. This reporting, conducted anonymously and in a de-identified format, will facilitate benchmarking and contribute to the development of a robust pro bono ecosystem.
Former Chapman Tripp lawyer Sabrina Muck, director of Te Ara Ture, emphasized the framework’s role in addressing unmet legal needs: “The launch of the Collaborative Framework offers an identifiable and structured pathway for lawyers across New Zealand to engage in providing pro bono services”.
Simpson Grierson’s pro bono partner, Shan Wilson, highlighted the alignment of the firm’s long-term commitment to pro bono work.
The Australian Connection
The framework’s inspiration from the Australian Pro Bono Centre. Australia has been at the forefront of pro bono initiatives, with its National Pro Bono Target setting a benchmark of 35 hours per lawyer per year, a target that is regularly exceeded.
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