Bournemouth & Poole Pro Bono is a charity which arranges the delivery of pro bono (i.e. free) legal services to local charities and voluntary groups serving the local community. As the intention is to spread the net rather further than just Bournemouth and Poole the name is not quite accurate but it makes for a good acronym!
What does BPPB do?
The aim of BPPB is to offer the following services:
Email Advice
Enquiries will be accepted either from front line advice agencies on behalf of a client or directly from charitable, voluntary and/or community groups. Those will be circulated to the members of BPPB who may choose to reply offering advice via email
Representation
If requested, members of BPPB may agree to take on the complete case and represent the individual or the group on a pro bono basis. If so, future contact is exclusively between the member and the individual or group concerned.
Advice sessions
Members of the BPPB will host free advice sessions at community centres, libraries etc. throughout the area. Where and when will be dictated by demand and the ability to service that demand.
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Pro Bono Protocol
BPPB members agree to undertake work in accordance with the Joint Protocol for Pro Bono Legal Work developed jointly by LawWorks and the Bar Pro Bono Unit. The background to the protocol and its full text may be viewed at www.lawworks.org.uk but key elements include:
- Legal work is Pro Bono Legal Work only if it is free to the client, without payment to the lawyer or law firm (regardless of the outcome) and provided voluntarily either by the lawyer or his or her firm.
- Pro Bono Legal Work is always only an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, a proper system of publicly funded legal services.
- Pro Bono Legal Work should always be done to a high standard. That means in particular that:
- The lawyer undertaking a piece of Pro Bono Legal Work (and where appropriate his or her supervisor) should have no less than the minimum level of legal expertise and experience as would be required if the particular work in question was paid work.
- Once a lawyer has agreed to undertake a piece of Pro Bono Legal Work the lawyer (and if appropriate his or her firm) must give that work the same priority, attention and care as would apply to paid work.
- Pro Bono Legal Work must not be undertaken without appropriate insurance.
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How do I get help?
BPPB does not intend to extend its service to the general public as it does not have the resources for this. However, if you are either:
- A front line advice agency needing help with an issue or seeking local pro bono representation for a client; or
- A charitable, voluntary or community group based in the local area needing help with an issue or seeking local pro bono representation for your group
then please complete the Request for Help and send it to BPPB c/o ILEX Bournemouth & District Branch, 48/50 Parkstone Road, Poole BH15 2PG or via email to bppb
badilex.co.uk.
The BPPB administrator will acknowledge receipt and try to find a suitable volunteer. Thereafter you will be advised whether help is available or not - and if so how to proceed - as promptly as possible.
Regrettably there is no guarantee help will be available as this will depend on the level of demand and the availability of resources.
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How can I help?
To offer an effective service, BPPB relies on the goodwill of as many volunteers as possible. The demands on your time are likely to be small and entirely within your own control. To join BPPB please complete the BPPB Volunteer Application Form and return it to BPPB c/o ILEX Bournemouth & District Branch, 48/50 Parkstone Road, Poole BH15 2PG or by email to bppbbadilex.co.uk.
Please note that BPPB has arranged professional indemnity insurance for the protection of those we help and our volunteers. Therefore, if you do not have your own insurance (or are not working through your employer) you will still have full and effective cover. Full details will be supplied once you have been registered.
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