Ireland’s annual Pro Bono Week will take place this year from 10-14 June with a series of events for legal professionals, law students, non-profits, human-rights activists, academics, and business to discuss the promotion of access to justice for those in need.

An in-person discussion event will be held on Thursday 13 June at the Law Society in Blackhall Place.

The event will explore the Irish pro bono ecosystem, recognise the impact of successful initiatives to date, and encourage discussion and horizon-scanning for emerging needs for pro bono legal support in Ireland.

Pitch

It will also provide a platform for three NGOs to pitch their causes to the legal professionals gathered for support in legal-advice services. 

The events will coincide with the broader European Pro Bono Week, which celebrates the critical role that lawyers play in supporting civil-society and human-rights organisations through pro bono work. 

Eilis Barry (FLAC chief executive) said: "Pro bono is a vital component of the access-to-justice architecture and an important tool in redressing the imbalance of a justice system weighed against those who face multiple barriers to access to justice.

“I want to pay tribute to the pioneering lawyers who have transformed the pro bono landscape in Ireland in recent years and for their inspiration and commitment." 

In Ireland, Pro Bono Week is led by PILA (the Public Interest Law Alliance) and a committee made up of representatives from:

• A&L Goodbody LLP,
• Arthur Cox LLP,
• DLA Piper Ireland LLP,
• Matheson LLP,
• McCann FitzGerald LLP,
• Mason Hayes & Curran LLP, and
• Philip Lee LLP.

Activities will commence on Monday 10 June with a European-wide virtual event that will focus on this year’s theme of harmonisation of pro bono work across Europe.

A second online event will share knowledge and good practices.

In Ireland, an in-person discussion event will be held at Arthur Cox’s office in Dublin on Wednesday 12 June to promote awareness of the work of Kids in Need of Defence (KIND), a global initiative that provides legal representation for unaccompanied children.

Panellists will include representatives of the Irish Refugee Council and the Immigrant Council of Ireland, to discuss the growing need for legal support for unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland – including support in family reunification applications.

All events are open to legal professionals, law students, non-profits and other interested parties to attend.

Registration is now open.

Find out more at www.pila.ie/pbw