Support for NGOs

The Pro Bono Referral Scheme is open to social justice organisations that work for the benefit of marginalised and disadvantaged people in Ireland. This means organisations that have a campaigning, law reform or advocacy arm that may benefit from more effective use or understanding of the law.

NGO partners can receive help on any legal need for which they do not have resources or in-house expertise. Our one exception is that we do not assist with internal organisational conflicts. 

PILA works closely with organisations to develop ways in which the law can be used further in their work. Once a particular legal need has been identified, we invest time in understanding the specific legal question to be answered before referring the matter to a pro bono barrister, solicitor or law firm with suitable skills. 

The organisation then takes the matter forward as part of a normal client-solicitor relationship, although PILA may stay involved at the request of the organisation. An ongoing relationship is not created with the legal professional. For further legal assistance, the organisation can submit a fresh request to PILA. 

NGO partners can obtain free legal assistance where they do not have the resources or in-house expertise, in the following ways: 

• Legal Advice
  Wide ranging ad hoc legal advice in conjunction with an organisation’s policy and campaign work, for instance advice on a bill going through the Oireachtas or legal clarification for a national campaign; or on organisational issues, such as a governance ‘health-check’, a data protection policy, health and safety or property issues.
• Law Reform Working Groups
  Where lawyers and NGOs come together on an ongoing basis to undertake a piece of work that will help effect systemic change – for example legislative change. A testament to the effectiveness of Law Reform Working Groups is the fact that the Seanad has cited the work of PILA pro bono lawyers on various bills, including tax issues for civil partners and female genital mutilation.
• Strategic Litigation Support
  Test cases or strategic litigation where an NGO partner is supporting a person or group with a legal need that relates to a wider systemic issue. These cases can be anything from a high impact judicial review to a series of cases in an administrative tribunal. Signature Projects have also been used innovatively as a way to process day-to-day casework.

• Legal Education Sessions
  Delivered by expert pro bono lawyers on common legal issues facing the NGO community, such as the law relevant to their clients or intrinsic to their services. Legal training is designed to complement the Pro Bono Referral Scheme in increasing the understanding of organisations as to when it is important to consult a lawyer and how the law can strengthen their work.
• Impact Projects
  Design of bespoke projects for forward-thinking law firms and in-house legal teams that seek a sustaining partnership with an organisation focused on particular unmet legal need. This often involves the law firm or team developing a secondary specialisation in an area of law outside their expertise. Signature Projects allow firms leverage employee skills and talents, going beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility engagement programmes.

PILA also provides opportunities for organisations to attend events, or initiate roundtables on common themes or new areas of law. 

All legal assistance provided through PILA is given the same priority by lawyers as paid work and is completed to the same high standards. This includes ensuring that lawyers are competent to take on the matter, fully observe client confidentiality and all other rules of professional ethics. Legal partners agree to complete the work to an agreed deadline and to the NGO’s satisfaction.