Pro bono news around the world
A regular feed of pro bono stories in the media and updates from across the global pro bono sector.
Search by
What PILnet’s Data Can Tell Us About Nonprofit Legal Needs in 2026
In this piece, Ana de la Cruz Cubeiro, PILnet’s Senior Legal Officer for the Global Clearinghouse, uses PILnet’s data to analyze global trends in the legal needs of nonprofits, civil society organisations, and other groups working for the public good.
Aussie lawyers’ pro bono hours soar
New research shows that the average number of pro bono hours undertaken per lawyer has risen to 43.2 hours, with lawyers across the country who are signatories to the National Pro Bono Target contributing more than 887,000 hours of pro bono legal work in FY2025–26.
IBA honours three lawyers for outstanding contributions to justice
Annual SPPI Awards recognise lawyers from Myanmar, Singapore and Nigeria for their work defending human rights, supporting vulnerable communities and promoting access to justice. The IBA Pro Bono Award was presented to Nigerian lawyer Yusuf Nurudeen “for his exceptional and sustained commitment to securing access to justice in Nigeria.”
For seasoned lawyers, emeritus status offers a path to pro bono service
A Florida Bar committee is hoping to raise the profile of “emeritus” lawyers, seasoned professionals who dedicate years of legal experience to pro bono service.
Record 887,910 pro bono hours logged in Australia for 2026
The 19th Annual Performance Report of the National Pro Bono Target, newly released by the Australian Pro Bono Centre, revealed a 5.1 percent increase in pro bono legal services undertaken this financial year compared with the previous year.
Pro bono demand stretches Advocate as employment applications jump 48%
Rising demand for free legal assistance across employment, family and housing law is stretching the systems used by the Bar of England and Wales’s national pro bono charity, Advocate. It has announced plans to improve how it handles applications and matches people needing help with volunteer barristers.
Ghana Law Society proposes mandatory 10-hour annual pro bono service by lawyers
The Ghana Law Society is proposing that every lawyer in Ghana provides a minimum of 10 hours of free legal services each year as part of efforts to improve access to justice.
Harvey partners with BigLaw firms for new AI-powered pro bono program
Harvey is launching a dedicated pro bono program to help expand access to justice across the UK, Australia, and US. The program will commence with a select group of law firm partners, consisting of senior pro bono leaders from Ashurst Perkins Coie, DLA Piper, and Nelson Mullins.