Partnerships in Pro Bono: Barristers, Law Students and the UQ Pro Bono Centre

The Queensland Bar has a long and proud tradition of providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organisations. At last count, almost 100 Queensland barristers were members of QPILCH, with more also participating in the QPILCH-administered Bar Pro Bono Referral Service. The considerable pro bono contribution of Queensland barristers has a direct impact on access to justice for many Queenslanders. It also significantly improves the administration of justice within courts, tribunals and other quasi-legal bodies. 

The past decade has seen a steady rise in the growth and systematisation of pro bono legal services in Queensland.  The establishment of QPILCH in 2002, as well as the emergence of dedicated pro bono units and solicitor roles within law firms, has fuelled a coordinated approach.  Although the provision of legal assistance on a pro bono basis is not new, it is certainly the case that pro bono work now occurs in a more structured, targeted, measurable and visible way than ever before.  Importantly, this is not just the case for practitioners: law students now also have a greater opportunity to become involved in the delivery of pro bono legal services. 

In 2014 the UQ Pro Bono Centre at the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland, will mark its sixth year of operation.  The Centre operates a Roster of law students who have registered their willingness to undertake pro bono work.   Currently, more than 300 students are listed on the Roster; about one quarter of the total LLB cohort.  In negotiation with our pro bono stakeholders (such as barristers who have agreed to accept a pro bono brief), the Centre creates flexible pro bono placements for Roster students.  Students can assist in a variety of ways including the provision of legal research or direct casework assistance.  As a pro bono activity, students receive no academic credit for their involvement but their contribution is recognised in other ways, such as at an annual informal awards lunch and on the Centre’s website.

Some examples of student pro bono placements created to assist Queensland barristers include:

• A fast turnaround request (24 hours) for a student to assist a barrister who had agreed to accept a pro bono brief from QPILCH to contest a summary judgement application in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.  The student met the barrister and client at court, and provided assistance in the form of document management and administrative assistance. 
• Medium-term (two months) doctrinal research assistance for a barrister on a specific area of trusts law arising from a pro bono brief.
• Long-term (nine months, still ongoing) research and casework assistance for two barristers instructed to advise on the prospects of successfully petitioning the Queensland Governor for pardon.  Two law students comprehensively reviewed the court transcripts to identify discrepancies and to assess merit in the context of potential new evidence.  The students have also assisted in drafting the petition and are continuing to provide further case assistance, where required.

There are obvious practical benefits to seeking the assistance of a student through the UQ Pro Bono Centre.  These include:

• The selection process is undertaken at UQ.  Centre staff will frame up the role, advertise and select students with the requisite interest and availability. Participating students are at least in their third year of a law degree.  The completion of a certain law course (criminal, family, trusts, commercial etc.) can be a requirement of the role if necessary.  We seek to provide a customised approach that takes the ‘leg work’ away from you.
• A potential reduction in the time and workload of your pro bono matters.  UQ students can produce high quality legal research with their skilful use of law library databases.  The legal research might focus on case law, legislation or legal policy.  Students can work externally at UQ, and provide their research via email if that is the most effective use of your time and resources.
• The possibility for academic oversight. The Centre is able to draw on the considerable goodwill and expertise of law academics at UQ should that assistance be necessary.  Academic involvement is naturally subject to staff teaching and research commitments, but the Centre will always seek to facilitate that involvement where appropriate.
• As an authorised volunteer activity, student pro bono placements are covered by UQ insurance (public liability, personal accident).

Your involvement will also serve as an inspiration to soon-to-be lawyers as you demonstrate the extent of the professions’ commitment to pro bono work.

Please contact the Centre Director to request a pro bono student placement: m.taylor@law.uq.edu.au or 3346 9351. Alternatively you may visit the website and use our online request form: www.law.uq.edu.au/probono

For more information about QPILCH membership or participation in the Bar Pro Bono Referral Service, please contact QPILCH on 3846 6317 or admin@qpilch.org.au