A national charity is to be launched next month to distribute a new stream of income for pro bono legal advice services, the Gazette can reveal.

The Access to Justice Foundation is a major cross-profession initiative backed by the Law Society, Bar Council, Institute of Legal Executives and Advice Services Alliance.

Under section 194 of the Legal Services Act – which comes into force on 1 October and was promoted by the Attorney General’s national pro bono coordinating committee – the foundation will receive the costs orders made by courts when the successful party is represented wholly or partly pro bono. Presently, no such order can be made.

The foundation will also be able to receive funds either by donation or through other schemes. It will take a strategic view of need, funnelling money to a new network of regional legal support trusts and so enabling distribution to local legal advice charities and helping to develop local pro bono communities.

London already has such a trust, and there are plans to create six more across the country, with those in Wales, the north-west and Midlands the most advanced. They will also undertake their own additional fund-raising activities, such as the series of walks that are taking place at the end of this month around the country.

Michael Napier (pictured), senior partner of national firm Irwin Mitchell and the Attorney General’s pro bono envoy, said: ‘The foundation and trusts will offer a further strategic dimension to the magnificent contribution of the legal professions in giving free legal advice to those who cannot pay.

‘In time, better access to justice – less unmet legal need – will be the result. The foundation will also be there as the natural destination for other charitable donations in the cause of access to justice. But it must always be remembered that, just like pro bono itself, the foundation will never be a substitute for legal aid.’

Law Society chief executive Des Hudson said: ‘Access to Justice is something that goes deep into the heart of any lawyer. The creation of the foundation is a very sensible and cohesive step to ensuring access to justice is maintained.’