Pro bono is a Latin phrase meaning "for the public good". In a legal context it has now come to mean providing free law advice to those people who cannot afford to pay for it.
Why should you try to get involved?
Firstly, it's a great opportunity to get involved in a local community project and use your legal knowledge to good effect. There are lots of ways you can do this, whether by volunteering at your local Citizens Advice or a Law Centre. There are also sometimes advocacy opportunities at charities such as Age Concern. Cheshire West, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Service is currently looking for volunteers to support young people who have come to the attention of the police as a result of anti-social/ offending behaviour. For more information please contact careers@chester.ac.uk
Secondly, you'll be using that legal knowledge under supervision, so you can put into practice the knowledge you've learnt from your degree and develop existing skills as well as acquire new ones, such as team working and communication.
Thirdly, you can use your experience of pro bono work to develop your CV. Employers really like to see evidence of any volunteering activity and, if it's related to Law, so much the better! You can use your experiences to give examples on application forms and at interview.
Now's the time to get involved, especially as it's National Pro Bono Week!
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