Solicitors are backing an ambitious initiative by charity Oxfam to recruit 1,000 City lawyers to use their skills to tackle poverty, before the July meeting of the G8 countries in Britain.

Clifford Chance, Taylor Wessing, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and US firm Sherman & Sterling have committed 100 lawyers so far.


Lawyers will be asked to lobby policy-makers and endorse a declaration calling for action and supporting the UN's goal of halving the number of people living in poverty by 2015.


They will provide pro bono advice on trade treaties, and other issues. In a joint initiative with the International Bar Association, they will also be asked to help Sri Lankan colleagues who lost their offices in the tsunami.


After July, the group will focus on the EU's approach to developing countries. Taylor Wessing partner Ashley Painter said: 'City lawyers can help to keep the issue on the agenda this year and next.'