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26 September 2025 / Bea Rossetto
Issue: 8132 / Categories: Features , Profession , Pro Bono , Charities , Training & education , Housing
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Lifesaving lawyering

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Commercial lawyers can make a real impact to those who need legal support the most—no specialist expertise required. Bea Rossetto introduces General Practice Pro Bono
  • General Practice Pro Bono uses everyday legal skills to deliver vital help for people facing housing and social welfare issues.

When people think of pro bono work, they often assume it requires deep subject matter expertise, in areas such as housing, family, immigration, or welfare. Understandably, many lawyers can be hesitant to get involved in cases outside their usual fee-earning practice, whether due to their unfamiliarity with the area of law, or simply not knowing where to start. But the reality is that many of the tasks required don’t demand retraining or niche legal knowledge to make a difference to someone’s case. What they do require are skills you already have: legal analysis and problem solving; drafting and document review; client communication; strategic decision-making; procedural awareness; and legal research.

At the National Pro Bono Centre, we call this ‘General Practice Pro Bono’. It’s about

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith

NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
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