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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

Orwins—Maryam Abbasi

Orwins—Maryam Abbasi

Senior associate joins family law team in London

Tees Law—Stephen Williams

Tees Law—Stephen Williams

Firm appoints chief financial officer as it expands Essex office footprint

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Restructuring and insolvency practice strengthened by partner hire

NEWS
Some employment law controversies never disappear—they merely lie dormant
A landmark ruling has delivered the first judicial application of the UK’s anti-SLAPP regime and provided fresh guidance on abusive litigation
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice, but its successful adoption depends as much on culture as technology
The fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal as UK ambassador to Washington raises profound questions about constitutional governance, accountability and political appointments
Pastries may be in the firing line while kebabs escape scrutiny, but the reality is far more nuanced
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