In-House Pro Bono: Regulatory Guidance and Challenges

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The regulatory landscape for in-house solicitors engaging in pro bono work presents challenges and opportunities. While there are few restrictions on their practice, navigating SRA rules and obtaining clarity on pro bono activities can be complex. Available regulatory guidance covers statutory rules, SRA practice rules, and practical considerations such as volunteer opportunities and insurance requirements. In-house solicitors may provide legal services to charities, offer legal advice, undertake litigation work, and more. Stay updated on developments in this evolving area.

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LawWorks In-House Pro Bono: Challenges and Opportunities Regulatory guidance and future developments Richard Pitkethly

Rules - overview In-house (and private practice) solicitors do not tend to have authorisation and limitations on their practice at the forefront of their mind Many pro bono opportunities for in-house solicitors in the LSA, however Current SRA rules can be overly restrictive and complicated SRA rules not always drafted with pro bono in mind over-reliance on waivers or concessions SRA guidance does not always provide answers Regulatory landscape opaque

Regulatory guidance Available via LawWorks website at: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and- volunteers/resources/lawworks-practice-guidance-house-solicitors-and- pro-bono Focused on in-house solicitors Covers the statutory rules, case law and the SRA rules of practice (i.e. the Handbook) Covers the 3 main ways to volunteer: i) Not-for-Profits, ii) Secondary Specialisation and iii) clinics Includes discussion of insurance and practising certificate requirements Will be updated to include developments, including the SRA s new set of practice rules

1) Headline points Few restrictions on what in-house solicitors are permitted to do in practice In-house solicitors may (subject to certain restrictions): provide legal services to charities/not-for-profits provide legal services to the public via external or internal clinics or through secondary specialisation programmes

2) Headline points In-house solicitors may: provide legal advice undertake litigation work undertake advocacy

Legal advice With a few exceptions, legal advice is a non-reserved activity (Legal Services Act 2007) Legal advice may be provided via NfPs, Secondary Specialisation programmes and clinics Restrictions around certain areas, such as immigration law, consumer debt/credit and the preparation of property documents (i.e. reserved instrument activities ) possibility of partnering with authorised firms / NfPs (e.g. Citizens Advice re debt/credit) Watch this space - reserved instrument activities ..?

Litigation work All litigation work may be undertaken in courts and tribunals (excluding immigration work, etc.) prior to issue, including LBA, Claim Form/PoCs All litigation work, including after issue, can be undertaken in relation to proceedings in the ET, EAT and the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), e.g. welfare benefits appeals A great deal of litigation work (e.g. correspondence, advisory and ADR) may be undertaken in other courts/tribunals after issue (see LawWorks guidance at paras 36-46) Watch this space LSA, Sch 3 litigation exemption from authorization requirement ?

Advocacy Advocacy may be undertaken in the ET, EAT and First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) We do not currently recommend advocacy in reserved courts and tribunals (see LSA, Sch 2 and LawWorks guidance at paras 35-35, 80- 83 and Appendix 1) Watch this space LSA, Sch 3 exemption..?

New rules September 2019? SRA to implement new rules PFR 4.10 dispensed with, removing one of the main barriers to relying upon exemptions in LSA, Sch 3 Watch this space better understanding of section 15 LSA / waiver or concession re undertaking reserved work while volunteering outside the course of employment (e.g. through external clinics /secondary specialisation programmes)?