Old idea, new direction

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, last week set an interesting challenge for members of the Institute of Legal Executives - produce a modern, English term for the Latin expression pro bono.

Lord Woolf is the scourge of outmoded Latin phrases; his reform of the civil justice system triggered the purging of several standby favourites, not least the good old writ.

So it should come as no surprise that Lord Woolf views pro bono as an expression which has had its day.

But his challenge to ILEX has a deeper significance.

What we suspect Lord Woolf is alluding to is the public's confused perception of pro bono - or voluntary work done by lawyers.

The Latin only exacerbates a greater uncertainty and lack of awareness regarding the wide variety of altruistic work conducted by solicitors, barristers and legal executives.

As we report on page 4, ILEX president Andrew Weaver wants to bring the various pro bono organisations and groups under one umbrella.

The suggestion has been met warmly by the Solicitors Pro Bono Group, and by Lord Woolf.

As the profession prepares for the Law Society/ Bar Council sponsored National Pro Bono Week, it must think about the hurdles to be overcome in developing a single co-ordinating body.

But those hurdles may well be worth the effort of leaping.