The University of Queensland (UQ) is taking part in two forums that will explore ways of strengthening cross-sector partnerships to improve the delivery of pro bono legal services to the community.
UQ Pro Bono Centre Director Monica Taylor said the forums in May would focus on building a stronger pro bono culture and best practice in the conduct and coordination of pro bono work.
“It is vital for the centre to be aware of and promote issues about best practice for pro bono service delivery,” Ms Taylor said.
“Our ability to provide meaningful pro bono opportunities for law students depends on the strength of our partnerships with the legal profession.”
The events will feature a range of speakers and panellists chosen for their pro bono experience and will demonstrate the variety and depth of pro bono work.
“These are professionals who can communicate their passion for the work they do and reinforce the message that pro bono work is an essential part of delivering access to justice for community members,” Ms Taylor said.
The first event, to be held on 1 May as part of the UQ Alumni Lecture Series, will focus on the work of UQ law graduates involved in different areas of the access to justice sector.
“In this session we’ll explore individual panellists’ motivations for pro bono work, discuss their career choices in law and the reasons they were drawn to broader issues of access to justice,” Ms Taylor said.
“It will also show how important integrated pro bono services are to delivering legal assistance to those in need, and how each of the various sectors – private, community and government – has a role to play.”
The ability to access legal services regardless of an individual’s financial means is a fundamental principle of the Australian legal system.
For many marginalised members of the community this is only made possible through the provision of free or reduced fee pro bono legal assistance.
Recent research quantifying the extent of legal need in Australia has called for a more holistic and integrated approach to the provision of pro bono legal services.
The second event, on 13 May will be co-hosted by The UQ Pro Bono Centre, the Queensland Public Interest Clearing House (QPILCH) and the Bar Association of Queensland to mark National Law Week.
Keynote speakers Professor Pascoe Pleasence from University College London and National Pro Bono Resource Centre Director John Corker will provide an international and national perspective on legal need and best practice pro bono service delivery.
A panel Q&A session will discuss issues in a Queensland context.
“The audience will hear different perspectives – from a barrister, law firm and a community legal centre – about what they consider to be best practice pro bono work,” Ms Taylor said.
“The panel will also examine integrated service delivery, training for practitioners involved in pro bono, and the different ways we might improve our pro bono partnerships.”
The UQ Pro Bono Centre
The opening of the UQ Pro Bono Centre in 2009 formalised UQ Law students’ participation in the provision of pro bono legal assistance. The centre has a range of partnerships with the legal profession, including with the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH), the Caxton Legal Centre and Legal Aid Queensland. The centre’s Patron is The Hon Paul de Jersey AC, Chief Justice of Queensland.
Event details:
Pro Bono Partnerships - Good for Whom?
Wednesday 1 May 2013
12pm - 1:45pm, Customs House, Brisbane.
Click here to register
Partnerships in Pro Bono
Monday 13 May 2013
5pm - 7pm, Banco Court, The Supreme and District Court of Queensland, Brisbane
Click here to register for this event
Media: UQ Pro Bono Centre Director Monica Taylor , (07) 3365 6192 / 0431 866 344, m.taylor@law.uq.edu.au or Melissa Reynolds 07 3365 2523, m.reynolds@law.uq.edu.au
