Collaborative effort sees pro bono guide launched
A new guide to pro bono resources in Scotland has been launched by the Faculty of Advocates’ Free Legal Services Unit ("FLSU"), the Law Society of Scotland and legal services charity JustRight Scotland.
The online guide is "the infant cousin of the much more extensive Guide to Pro Bono in England & Wales", according to Neil Mackenzie, convener of the FLSU, who however suggested it was "an important step in the right direction to help people in need finding the services they need, but also help to coordinate the efforts to meet that need".
Those involved in the pro bono sector are being encouraged to read the guide with a view to identifying any gaps and adding further information to the resource. Apart from being a directory of pro bono suppliers, it also provides an overview of the sector in Scotland.
Mr Mackenzie added: "I have previously talked about the gaps, overlaps, and frictions in the pro bono legal sector. From a Faculty of Advocates’ point of view, these difficulties make it difficult to allocate our limited resources. How can we maximise the impact of the efforts of these individuals and organisations, to meet as much need as effectively as we can?
"The answer is, I think, by working collectively. We can do that by pooling information about who provides pro bono legal services and by collecting, analysing, sharing and using data. That way, we not only increase the chances of the people in need finding the services they need, but also help to coordinate the efforts to meet that need."