Concerns are growing that the successful LawWorks pro bono project is in jeopardy because government funding may not be extended beyond its start-up phase.

The first stage of the LawWorks scheme - comprising advice clinics, an initial e-mail advice service and in-depth electronic assistance - has been funded mainly through 680,000 that was allocated in 2001 to pay for its creation.

LawWorks has already exceeded the target of 2,000 pro bono opportunities laid down by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and provided training for more than 1,500 volunteer advisers covering a range of practice areas.

However, the Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) - which has worked with the Law Centres Federation and National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux on the project - now fears that LawWorks will be unable to continue if the grants are not extended beyond the initial three years.

SPBG chief executive Sue Bucknall said she had been told the government was committed to the project, but future funding seemed to have been 'lost' in the system.

She said it was impossible to plan for the future of the project when those involved did not know whether they would be able to afford to run premises when the current LawWorks budget runs out.

'If the government wants to solve problems with access to justice then it needs to be committed.

It can't just say "that's a good idea" and then not provide the funding,' she argued.

'We just think it's silly when you've got a good thing going, where money has been spent setting it up and getting the expertise, and then the funding is suddenly stopped.

We would hate to see it go under because it has helped thousands of people who otherwise wouldn't have been helped, and it has done a huge job in combating social exclusion.'

A DCA spokeswoman said: 'The funding issue is currently under consideration.

There is a lack of clarity in the departmental settlement with HM Treasury which is currently being looked into as a matter of urgency.'

By Paula Rohan