Pro Bono
Take advantage of our Pro Bono Network to gain valuable experience and put your skills and training into practice to help others.
About pro bono
What is pro bono?
Pro bono means ‘for the public good’. It’s used to describe professional work delivered voluntarily and without payment.
It’s an essential service that provides legal support to those in need. This includes people with limited means and organisations that have a social, environmental, humanitarian, or community focus.
Law students use their knowledge and training to provide pro bono legal services. This helps members of the community while enhancing their own skills and experience.
The Pro Bono Network at Manchester Law School
We provide extensive legal volunteering opportunities through our Pro Bono Network, across Manchester and beyond.
We’ve won local and national awards for our projects — and been shortlisted for more. Each year, student volunteers provide over 14,000 hours of pro bono legal services, creating a positive impact on the community.
Why get involved?
Our Pro Bono Network provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to real legal situations. You’ll gain valuable experience and make a real difference to others.
What could you help with?
Our opportunities match different skills, interests and availability while supporting the community.
Law students could be:
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assisting start-up businesses in our Commercial Law Hub
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supporting those going through court alone with our Support Through Court partner
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representing clients at tribunals through our Legal Advocacy Support Project with the Greater Manchester Law Centre
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working on death row cases in America with Amicus
Our pro bono partners
We collaborate with a diverse selection of local, national and international businesses and organisations. They each offer unique opportunities to enhance your work experience.
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Amicus
Amicus is a legal charity providing representation for those facing the death penalty in the United States. It has a dedicated internship programme sending law graduates each year to work in the US.
How you can work with Amicus
Casework
Trial summarising
Research
Form student groups dedicated to fundraising and increasing awareness
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Commercial Law Hub
Here, students and commercial lawyers from national law firms work together to provide much-needed free legal support to start-ups, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
How you can support the Commercial Law Hub
General commercial areas
Corporate law
Intellectual property
Property law
Non-contentious employment law
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Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Manchester provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and information. It campaigns for positive change in the following areas:
welfare benefits
housing
debt
employment
How you can support Citizens Advice
Become a front-line advisor on their advice lines
Be involved in research and campaigns
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Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales.
It’s important that they continue to improve what they do, to build public confidence in the criminal justice system. One of the ways they do this is through Local Scrutiny and Involvement Panels (LSIPs).
How you can work with the CPS
Undergo training with the CPS
Scrutinise case files
Placements with the CPS are rare, and this is offered as a new alternative suitable for law students.
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Legal Advocacy Support project
The Legal Advocacy Support project with Greater Manchester Law Centre aims to provide free legal advice and representation to the residents of Greater Manchester who cannot access legal help.
How you can work with the Legal Advocacy Support project
- Work with clients on their benefits appeals cases from start to finish
- Prepare the case, advise your client then represent them at a tribunal.
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National Justice Museum
The National Justice Museum develops and delivers law and justice educational programmes to young people in schools and colleges by:
supporting and raising aspirations about the legal system
raising awareness of the consequences of crime
How you can work with the National Justice Museum
Assist with proceedings in mock legal hearings at our moot court room
Answer questions about what it is like to work in the legal system or study law
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Partners of Prisoners (POPS)
POPS provides support to families of offenders by operating a range of projects throughout the North West of England.
How you can work with POPs
Assist an offender’s rehabilitation and resistance
Offer support to those affected by the criminal justice process either face-to-face or over the telephone
Support research initiatives
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Support Through Court
Support Through Court is a national charity for people facing court alone. They provide a much-needed service of practical and emotional support.
How you can work with Support Through Court
Assist people with real cases
Guide clients through legal proceedings
Empower clients to manage their own case more effectively
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Shelter
A campaigning organisation dedicated to combatting homelessness and assisting with housing-related problems.
How you can support Shelter
As a volunteer, you’ll be trained to provide assistance and administrative support to Shelter caseworkers and solicitors. You can get involved with these areas:
housing
debt
welfare benefits
community care matters
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Greater Manchester Police
The new Student Independent Advisory Group (IAG), in the City of Manchester Division, gives students the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
How you can work with Greater Manchester Police
Discuss important issues with local police leaders
Gain insight into how the force operates
Provide independent advice to Greater Manchester Police to improve the quality of the policing service they deliver within the local student community.
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Young Citizens
Young Citizens help young people contribute to their communities and strengthen democratic society.
Young Citizens work includes:
immersive mock trials where young people learn about the criminal justice system
empowering children to take action on social issues
How you can work with Young Citizens
- You could volunteer either as a facilitator or coach for their mock trial competition events.
Contact information
Get in touch
To request the latest recruitment dates and more details, please email probono@mmu.ac.uk. You can also get the application form in other formats.
If you need career support, or help with an application or CV, please contact the careers team through the Ask a Question service.