Shoosmiths pro bono policy statement

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Purpose

Shoosmiths’ Sustainability Vision is to be a low-carbon law firm that delivers for our clients and communities to enable a sustainable future. This policy lays out Shoosmiths LLP and related entities (Shoosmiths) commitment to the provision of pro bono advice by Legal Advisers (LAs) at Shoosmiths. 

Scope and application

This policy applies to all Shoosmiths activities, locations and those who work within Shoosmiths, failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Principles

• We define pro bono as legal services provided by lawyers in the public interest, including to individuals, charities, and community groups who cannot afford to pay for that advice or representation, and where public and alternative means of funding are not available;
• We will provide pro bono legal services to support individuals and organisations understand their rights and gain access to justice, strengthening communities and society;
• We will provide pro bono legal services in a variety of formats, including but not limited to; legal advice, assistance, representation and research, as well as drafting agreements, policy documents or legislative instruments;
• We will not consider performing manual labour or administrative tasks, business development projects, even if they are performed without expectation of payment, as pro bono legal services, which would fall under our definition of volunteering. The maintenance or production of internal Shoosmiths know-how is not a considered pro bono legal services;
• We will ensure Legal Advisers record hours related to pro bono under the appropriate pro bono matter code, to enable transparency on time spent on pro bono work;
• We will ensure that all pro bono legal services are performed at least to the equivalent standard as work carried out on a paid basis, following all relevant firm policies and procedures;
• We will set objectives that support our commitment to continual improvement in the delivery of pro bono legal services which are established, communicated, measured and reviewed at least annually or when significant changes to the business occur; and
• We will implement, maintain, and communicate this policy across the firm and make it available to all interested internal and external stakeholders.

Monitoring and review

The policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure its suitability and effectiveness.
The Director of People has ultimate responsibility for this policy.

Policy approved by Sustainability Steering Committee

Revision history