LawWorks has launched an online project - 'the Million Hours scheme' - to record the amount of pro bono work carried out by lawyers in the UK.


The pro bono co-ordinator has set up a website through which individuals can pledge hours in advance, or 'bank' them retrospectively. The scheme is open to solicitors, barristers, legal executives, trainee lawyers and law students. LawWorks, the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group charity, has set a target of one million registered hours.



Chief executive Robert Gill explained that if the profession was too modest to make its own case, then it was left to LawWorks to tell the world that lawyers were not all 'fat cats'. He said: 'It's time we publicly celebrated the idealism and generosity of lawyers who give their time freely.'



He added that firms ranging from Clifford Chance to sole practitioners participate in pro bono work, so it is unsurprising that the amount done is measured differently from organisation to organisation. 'But we've worked with the London Benchmarking Group and are confident the website will give an accurate picture.'



Michael Napier, senior partner at national firm Irwin Mitchell and the Attorney-General's pro bono envoy, said: 'In today's world, where mainstream pro bono activity has for many become part of being a lawyer, there's every reason for visibility. It'll be good to know how much time is being given and how long it takes to hit the million hour mark.'



LawWorks, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, has also opened in Manchester - its first office outside London.



LINK: www.lawworks.org.uk



Jonathan Rayner