PBES, which is the brainchild of the National Pro Bono Centre and Pro Bono Connect, will bring lawyers, barristers, experts and litigation support advisors together. It will include experts from various disciplines including forensic accountants, eDiscovery providers, strategic communications, investigators, costs lawyers, translation and interpretation providers and a wide range of expert witnesses.
The launch took place at the Supreme Court. Jamie Goldsmith KC, who founded Pro Bono Connect, said PBES ‘brings together crucial services to support pro bono clients through litigation’.
Currently, 22 registered litigation support firms have signed up to join the scheme. Membership is free to join and carries no obligation to take on cases.
Members of the judiciary backing the scheme include Lady Rose, Justice of the UK Supreme Court, and Mr Justice Robin Knowles.
Lady Rose said: ‘The Pro Bono Expert Support service offers those who require legal help the kind of support that will give them the best chance of progressing their case in the most effective way. I am delighted to be supporting this important new initiative that brings together a number of leading practitioners from legal and related disciplines.’
PBES builds on the expertise of Pro Bono Connect, which helps barristers and solicitors collaborate on pro bono cases.
Also this week, the National Pro Bono Centre (NPBC) launched an initiative for retired lawyers to take on pro bono work. It draws inspiration from the return to work of retired medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A hub of information on opportunities available for retired lawyers is now available on the NPBC website, with specific information on www.weareadvocate.org.uk for barristers and on www.lawworks.org.uk for solicitors.
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