SPBG trains on-line

PRO BONO: scheme aimed at advice centre lawyers

The Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) is set to launch an on-line training scheme for solicitors working on a pro bono basis in advice centres.

At present, the SPBG organises training sessions for lawyers in London as part of its LawWorks scheme.

The hour-long sessions are run by law centre staff, and cover areas of the law which are most frequently encountered at evening advice sessions - such as housing, employment and consumer.

The new on-line scheme - which should be up and running from February 2003 - will offer free training in these areas for all SPBG members, who will be able to access the on-line training by entering the site with a log-in and password.

SPBG project manager Graham Bucknall said: 'Although the training sessions are well attended, there are many people who live outside London who cannot get to them.'

The site will initially feature three 'modules', each comprising 30 minutes of video and audio training, along with text, multiple-choice questions and links to other relevant sites.

Lawyers will be able to work through the material themselves or use it as a refresher if they have already attended the sessions in person.

The SPBG is working with Rollingball in the development of the project.

Rollingball, a multimedia production house, is part of the Semple Piggot Rochez Group of companies.

The SPBG was advised on the contract for the development on a pro bono basis by the London office of US firm Covington & Burling.

Victoria MacCallum