PILA runs a Pro Bono Referral Scheme which facilitates access to pro bono services for social justice, community and non-governmental organisations (NGO).

Lawyers provide much-needed assistance through the Scheme, by helping NGOs with: 

• Legal Advice on organisational issues or in line with policy and campaign work
• Law Reform Working Groups where lawyers and NGOs come together to work to implement social change
• Litigation Support including pre-litigation advices and casework
• Legal Education Sessions to better equip NGO staff in navigating the law
• Impact Projects – ongoing partnerships between a law firm and NGO filling an unmet legal need  

Organisations that have been approved as NGO partners can receive help on any legal need for which they do not have resources or in-house expertise. Our exceptions are that we do not assist with internal organisational conflicts. e.g. HR issues or issues with Board of Directors as well. Nor do we deal with criminal matters either, as this is dealt with by Legal Aid, unless its linked to a civil matter, such as a claim for damages. 

PILA makes it easy for lawyers and law firms to take on pro bono matters: staff carry out comprehensive due diligence on all partner NGOs, invest significant time in working with NGOs to understand and prioritise their needs, identify the specific legal question to be answered and the area of expertise that is required, all before allowing requests to be uploaded to PILAs Pro Bono Portal (provided by Justice Connect). PILA also manages administrative tasks associated with the work and conducts follow up with the pro bono client. This enables legal partners to focus purely on giving legal assistance. 

When we assess a request from an NGO and find it meritorious, they upload it to our Pro Bono Portal. All lawyers joining PILA’s Alliance are registered on the Pro Bono Portal, with instructions and support on using it. Lawyers then log into the Portal on a regular basis as they have capacity to take on pro bono work and submit an Expression of Interest. This allows lawyers to put themselves forward to take on a piece of work as they are able to. 

All legal assistance provided through PILA must be given the same priority as paid work and must be completed to the same high standards. Legal partners agree to complete the work to an agreed deadline and to the NGO’s satisfaction. PILA asks all partner law firms to sign and implement a Pro Bono Protocol to help with the internal management of pro bono matters. 

We currently work with 45 law firms, over 2000 solicitors, 8 in-house legal teams, more than 350 barristers, 12 law schools and 170 NGOs and Independent Law Centres.

Browse current members of Our Alliance here.

Since 2021, PILA hosts NGO Pitch Events several time a year. The objective of these events is to connect representatives from social justice organisations to signatories of the Pro Bono Pledge Ireland, which includes 45 law firms across Ireland. Pledge Signatories have committed to doing pro bono work with social justice organisations that have projects in need of legal expertise.

Lawyers can also volunteer their time through FLAC at one of 89 advice centres around Ireland while students can join a student FLAC society operating in seven universities.  

You can also make a donation  or join our Corporate Recognition Programme – see the bottom of this page for further information.