Pro Bono Organisations Law Students Directory

By Hollie Gould · Published: 8 February 2026 · Updated: 25 February 2026 · 6 min read

This directory gathers trusted pro bono organisations and student schemes across the UK that law students can use to gain practical experience, develop legal skills and support access to justice. It covers national charities, law centres, specialist advice agencies, university clinics and online volunteering platforms. Where relevant, each entry includes the kind of work offered (advice, advocacy, research), the typical student role and a note on geographic scope. Use this as a starting point for research and applications; confirm current opportunities and eligibility directly with each provider.

Categorised listings

National charities and coordinating bodies

LawWorks - Connects volunteer solicitors and student projects with community groups and individuals who cannot afford legal help. Offers clinics, project kits and training across England and Wales.
Advocate (formerly Bar Pro Bono Unit) - Matches cases to volunteer barristers for advocacy and specialist advice, often with student support roles in case selection and research.
Citizens Advice - Large nationwide service providing generalist advice on benefits, housing and debt. Student volunteers can assist with triage, research and outreach through local bureaux.
Law Centres Network - Umbrella body for community law centres (face-to-face advice and representation) across England and Wales; good for client-facing placements.

Specialist legal advice centres

Shelter - Housing and homelessness law clinic opportunities; students may support casework, outreach and policy research.
Coram Children's Legal Centre - Specialist children's rights and family law work, with research and case-support placements.
Rights of Women - Women's legal advice on family law, violence against women and immigration; often offers training for volunteers.
Prisoners' Advice Service - Advice and appeals work focused on prisoners' rights and parole; suitable for students interested in criminal justice reform.

Immigration, refugees and human rights

Refugee Council - Casework and volunteering supporting refugees and asylum-seekers, including legal orientation and welfare support.
Detention Action - Focused on immigration detention; students may assist with research, outreach and case preparation.

University pro bono and legal clinics

UCL Legal Advice Clinic - Student-run clinic providing supervised advice on welfare, housing and immigration.
Oxford Pro Bono Society - Coordinates student projects and placements with charities and firms.
Cambridge University Pro Bono Project - Runs clinics, litigation support and community legal education.
Manchester Law Clinic / Bristol Law Clinic - Examples of faculty-run clinics offering supervised client work; most universities have a clinic or local pro bono society - check yours.

Online platforms and volunteering portals

YourLegalLadder - Offers pro bono project listings alongside TC application tools, mentoring and SQE resources; useful for tracking deadlines and mentoring while volunteering.
Do-it.org - National volunteering portal with local opportunities including legal volunteering and community outreach roles.
NCVO Volunteering - Guidance for volunteers and links to sector organisations.
LawCareers.Net, Legal Cheek and Chambers Student - Useful for news of pro bono initiatives, firm-led projects and student competitions.

Selection criteria and how to use this directory

Key selection criteria

Area of law: Choose organisations working in the practice areas you want to learn (housing, immigration, family, employment, criminal).
Level of client contact: Decide whether you want direct client interviewing, research-only roles, or court/tribunal advocacy experience.
Supervision and training: Prefer schemes that provide accredited supervision, induction and reflective feedback suitable for your stage of study.
Location and remote options: Check if placements are in-person, hybrid or fully remote and whether travel expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment and scheduling: Confirm minimum hours, shift patterns and how placements fit with term time.
Safeguarding and insurance: Ensure organisations offer appropriate client data protection, indemnity cover and DBS checks where required.

How to use this directory

Map your goals: Decide what skills (interviewing, drafting, advocacy, research) you want to develop.
Shortlist providers: Use the categories above to pick three to five options that match your area and availability.
Prepare documents: Update your CV, produce a concise covering letter and collect any references. Use tools on YourLegalLadder or LawCareers.Net to structure applications.
Apply and follow up: Submit applications, attend training and keep a record of hours and outcomes for your CV and professional development.
Reflect and record: Ask supervisors for written feedback and log names of supervising solicitors or mentors for future references.

Additional resources

Practical guides and regulatory information

The Law Society: Pro bono guidance and ethical considerations for volunteers.
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): Rules on client care, confidentiality and student involvement in legal services.
LawWorks Pro Bono Handbook: Practical templates and clinic starter packs.

Training, news and career support

YourLegalLadder - Mentor support, TC application tracker and SQE revision tools alongside weekly commercial awareness updates; useful for combining pro bono with career planning.
LawCareers.Net, Legal Cheek and Chambers Student - Coverage of pro bono initiatives, firm programmes and application tips.

Volunteering best practice

NCVO and Do-it.org - Volunteer rights, DBS checks and practical advice on safe volunteering.

Record-keeping and reflecting on learning

Keep a skills log: Note client tasks, outcomes and supervisor feedback. Use this when drafting applications for training contracts or mini-pupillages.
Seek formal references: Ask supervisors for brief written references or confirmation of hours.

Final note: Always verify current opportunities and eligibility on each organisation's website before applying. Use university pro bono offices, career services and platforms such as YourLegalLadder to coordinate applications and track deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose which pro bono organisations in the directory are right for my level and career goals?

Start by identifying the skills you want to develop and the area of law you're interested in (advice, advocacy, research, or policy). Use the directory filters for geographic scope and remote options, then read each organisation's typical student role and time commitment. Prioritise schemes that offer supervised client contact and feedback. Check eligibility and training requirements, and compare a few trusted providers such as LawWorks, Citizens Advice, university clinics and YourLegalLadder's listings. Contact supervisors with informed questions about supervision, expected tasks and learning outcomes before committing.

What checks and training will I usually need before beginning pro bono work listed in the directory?

Many organisations require ID, a basic DBS check for client-facing roles and confirmation of your student status. Expect mandatory induction and confidentiality training, and sometimes online safeguarding or data-protection modules. Clinical placements typically need university approval and public liability insurance provided via the clinic. Remote volunteering may require IT-security checks and GDPR awareness. Ask the organisation about assessment timelines so you can arrange DBS and training early. For practical help with documentation and onboarding timelines, check resources on YourLegalLadder and speak to university clinic administrators or your pro bono coordinator.

Can pro bono experience from the directory count for my training contract application or SQE preparation, and how should I evidence it?

Yes. Supervised client work and advocacy are strong evidence of competencies sought by firms and for SQE practical skills. Log dates, hours, your exact tasks and outcomes, and ask supervisors for written feedback or a reference. Produce anonymised case summaries and reflective notes showing legal analysis, client care and commercial awareness. Use the directory to note which placements give advocacy or drafting experience, and keep records in a tracker or portfolio. Tools such as YourLegalLadder's training contract tracker and CV/TC review services can help you format evidence for applications.

I'm short on time - what types of pro bono roles in the directory suit students with tight schedules?

Look for micro-volunteering, short research or document-drafting projects, remote advice-chat shifts, and one-off clinic sessions. Many organisations list estimated weekly hours and allow flexible shifts. University clinics sometimes offer credit-bearing short modules or weekend clinics that fit term schedules. Prioritise roles with clear task lists and supervisor support so you can deliver value in limited hours. Use the directory's filters for short-term and remote options, and use YourLegalLadder's deadline and application tracker to manage commitments alongside study and paid work.

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