The Law Society’s Pro Bono Scheme is an application-based program where eligible applicants are referred to volunteer solicitors who provide legal assistance for free or on a substantially reduced fee basis. 

This legal assistance can include:

• Legal advice
• Assistance with drafting documents
• Representation at Mediation
• Representation in Court
• On-going legal representation 

The Pro Bono Scheme also provides legal assistance on an in-house basis for eligible applicants.

Please also be advised that while you may request a specific type of legal assistance, such as court representation, there is no guarantee that your referral will be for that specific assistance. Referrals to volunteer solicitors are generally for legal advice, with potential representation depending on the solicitor’s assessment of your matter and capacity.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for assistance under the Scheme, applicants must:

1. Have applied for and been refused Legal Aid (please provide us with correspondence confirming this) or have a matter for which Legal Aid is not available
2. Have a type of matter covered by the Scheme
3. Satisfy the means assessment applied by the Scheme
4. Have a matter that has merit and/or reasonable prospects of success

While the Scheme will make every effort to help an eligible person, there is no guarantee that you will receive assistance.

The Scheme relies on the goodwill and generosity of firms of solicitors who are prepared to give their time and skill to help eligible applicants. This system operates on a purely voluntary basis and the Scheme is unable to compel any practitioner to accept referrals.

Guidelines

*We can provide information on law firms handling class action matters.

The Law Society’s Access to Justice, Director has the sole discretion to accept matters that are outside these guidelines due to exceptional circumstances, including disability, risk of physical harm to the applicant and extreme financial hardship.

How do I apply?

Complete and submit the online Application for pro bono referral form.

While we encourage all applicants to complete an application online we accept paper applications from applicants that cannot use this option.

Please follow these instructions:

1.   Print out the Application for pro bono referral form

2.   Fill out the form in full and sign and date on the back page

3.   Double check you have attached the relevant supporting documentation listed on Page 6 of the Application Form.

4.   Send the completed and signed application form and all documentation to:

       The Law Society of New South Wales
       The Pro Bono Scheme
       170 Phillip Street
       Sydney NSW 2000

What happens next

1. Receipt of your application
   After you have submitted the online application form and supporting documents, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have any additional documents to provide, please email a2j@lawsociety.com.au
    
2. Assessment of your application
   Your application will be reviewed and we may contact you to request additional documents/information. The onus is on an applicant to provide the requested documentation/information. You should provide the requested documents/information to avoid delays or your file being closed.
    
3. Outcome
   Your application will be assessed when you provide all the requested documents/information. We’ll assess your application against the eligibility criteria for assistance under the Scheme. We’ll notify you of the application outcome by email or post.

If you have not received a response within 30 days, please contact the Access to Justice Department.

Terms and conditions

Please see the attached terms and conditions relating to the Pro Bono Scheme here.

In submitting an application for Pro Bono Assistance, you agree to accept these terms and conditions.