Employees at Charles Russell individually support a wide range of pro bono initiatives but our philosophy as a Practice is to choose a small number of endorsed causes (which are reviewed on a regular basis) in order that we have maximum impact on the few rather than minimum impact on the many.

The provision of pro bono legal advice makes an important contribution to the delivery of justice. The public benefit from advice and representation which they need but are unable to afford.

Bethnal Green Law Centre (University House)
Charles Russell staff have been involved with the Bethnal Green Legal Advice Centre for many years. One of Charles Russell's consultants (a former partner), Colin Russell, was awarded an MBE in 2001 for his work at the Centre. The Centre was set up in Bethnal Green in 1946 under the aegis of Repton School. In 1979 it became independent and Colin Russell became the chairman as he remained until 1997. He is still the Treasurer.

The Centre is funded by several firms of solicitors, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and grant giving charities. It does vital work in one of the poorest areas of London advising on all areas of law such as employment, housing, consumer, debt and disputed benefits.

Charles Russell encourages support of the Centre with both qualified and non qualified volunteers.

LawWorks
LawWorks is an independent charity whose stated mission is to support, promote and encourage a commitment to pro bono across the solicitors' profession. It is generally accessed through Citizens Advice Bureaux or other front line agencies, that provide free legal assistance to individuals and not-for-profit organisations who cannot get legal aid and are unable to pay for legal assistance. The Group facilitates the provision of this help with the assistance of our volunteers, matching up those in need with those who are willing to provide help. Charles Russell is a member of LawWorks.

There a number of ways in which Charles Russell is able to assist LawWorks, including the following:

Assisting in the Community Groups initiative, by providing free non-contentious, business law advice to community groups, and small not-for-profit organisations, and providing ad-hoc legal advice (contentious and non-contentious) to individuals, community groups and charities.
In addition, a number of Charles Russell partners are assessors and on the Mediation Panel.

LawWorks also runs regular training seminars to assist lawyers with the provision of advice outside their area (eg. welfare/housing law etc.). Volunteers are encouraged to attend these seminars.

Surrey Law Centre - Guildford Evening Advice Service
The Guildford Evening Advice Service gives initial information and advice and provides practical steps to deal with a problem.

Areas of advice it deals with includes:
problems at work, housing problems, personal debt, consumer problems, small claims proceedings, welfare benefits, community care, family matters and personal injury claims.