Voices from the front line: exploring what pro bono means to lawyers in England and Wales?

ABSTRACT Pro bono is seen as an important aspect of the working lives of many legal professionals. The withdrawal of legal aid for most civil law claims has led to a greater need for pro bono legal services. This article describes and analyses the findings of an empirical study with solicitors to explore their views on pro bono. It seeks to understand perceptions of pro bono work and examine the reasons why individuals choose to give their time for free to help those who have unmet legal needs. Following an analysis of interview data, this article argues there is a significant commitment to pro bono within the legal profession, but there tensions associated with the delivery of pro bono legal services. This study builds on the work of academics in the US and Australia to add to the literature on our understanding of pro bono within the context of England and Wales.