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18 May 20233 minute read

Global platform launched to increase scale and impact of pro bono service globally

The global pro bono community plays a pivotal role in providing access to justice to some of the world’s most underserved and vulnerable communities. With more than five billion people living without any meaningful legal protections, a cohesive, international response is needed to reduce the justice gap and scale impact.

To facilitate this DLA Piper have partnered with the Australian Pro Bono Centre to launch the world’s first international online portal for the pro bono community. The Global Pro Bono Hub advocates best practice, facilitates knowledge exchange, highlights innovation and enables the sharing of valuable tools and guidance within the global pro bono sector. Developed with support from law firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Ashurst, the Hub promotes the rule of law and supports access to justice around the world.

The pro bono community plays a critical role in advancing social justice. As a single pathway to pro bono resources, news, upcoming events and job opportunities, the Hub aims to inspire communication, leadership, collaboration and growth across the global pro bono sector. At the time of launch, the Hub is linking to over 400 resources, recent news items, a range of upcoming pro bono events and current job opportunities. It will be updated regularly by DLA and the Australian Pro Bono Centre through submissions received from across the sector.

Commenting on the launch of the Global Pro Bono Hub, Nicolas Patrick, Partner (Pro Bono and Responsible Business) at DLA Piper, said:

“Over the past two decades I have witnessed huge growth in pro bono participation and pro bono hours in virtually every region around the world. But at the same time, we have witnessed a growing access to justice crisis and a deterioration of the rule of law in some regions.

The Global Pro Bono Hub is an essential resource for lawyers, law firms, clearinghouses, front line service providers, law centres and in-house legal teams as they strive to professionalise and scale pro bono; to innovate and evolve; and to improve the effectiveness and impact of pro bono work.”

Gabriela Christian-Hare, CEO of the Australian Pro Bono Centre, said: "The Centre is honoured to be involved in the creation of this world-first global online community for pro bono resources. The Hub’s launch coincides with significant growth across the global pro bono sector as an increasing number of law firms, corporations and governments acknowledge the role of pro bono in advancing social justice. As a professional network and pathway to best practice resources, the Hub aims to accelerate the scale and effectiveness of pro bono work globally, promote human rights and catalyse sustainable progress for individuals and community organisations the world over.

We encourage the pro bono community to regularly engage with the Hub and to use it as a place to submit resources, news, upcoming events and job opportunities."