Written question asked by Anne Moffat (Labour) on Monday, 18 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 May 2009. It was answered by Vera Baird (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2009 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Government Departments: Legal Profession

Question: To ask the Solicitor-General what the policy of the Law Officers' Departments is on encouraging Government lawyers to undertake pro bono work.

Answer: All Government Departments encourage their staff to take an active role in volunteering in the community. The Law Officers' departments support this policy and the provision by lawyers of legal advice and assistance pro bono. As a Law Officer's department, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, through the Government Legal Service Pro Bono network, encourages Government lawyers who wish to provide advice and representation pro bono. In addition to raising awareness and supporting lawyers working at diverse law clinics, the GLS pro bono network operates an advice clinic at the Treasury Solicitor's Department on Tuesday nights, which focuses on employment law issues. A new initiative from the Crown Prosecution Service is a pro bono and volunteering network, which will be launched formally on 10 June 2009.

Secondary information