Introduction
The need
One of the defining aims of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to build a global partnership for development bringing together a wide range of actors. A4ID provides lawyers with the opportunity to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs through the brokering of legal services to support a wide range of organisations and institutions working in the development sector.
Lawyers are in a strong position to address inequality and global poverty. All of the skills we use everyday can be provided pro bono to promote sustainable development. Our ability to run a legal business, to protect our clients' interests before a tribunal or court of law, to understand the operation and application of international agreements or to support and lead commercial transactions are of enormous value when carried out in a development context.
At present unequal access to legal expertise acts as a bar to development. For many developing countries and civil society organisations, lawyers cannot be part of the picture. They are discouraged by high costs, the difficult choice of how to make the most of limited funds and face limited in-house capabilities. A4ID has stepped in to fill this gap. We harness the expertise of leading legal professionals throughout the world to provide pro bono advice and assistance where it is needed most.
"The legal assistance provided to me through A4ID was like gold."
Fiona Gooch, Trade Policy Advisor, Traidcraft
"The technical and mentoring support that A4ID has offered is invaluble to us in making tangible changes to the lives and welfare of vulnerable children in Tanzania".
Kate McAlpine, Director, Mkombozi Centre for Street Children
Standards
A4ID works across the profession, in a coordinated and focused manner, drawing together lawyers with different skills and backgrounds to provide the best service for our partners.
- A4ID is an independent non-partisan organisation.
- We do not follow or work to the agenda of a particular funder or partner.
- The legal advice and assistance that we resource sets out our lawyers' own impartial and objective views.
- Opportunities are vetted and due diligence completed so that lawyers receive clear instructions and lines of communication with their client.
- We believe in fostering talent. We act to develop the skills and knowledge of the lawyers with whom we work. We also work to build our internal skills set. We provide training and development for those involved in A4ID.
Development Partner criteria: All of A4ID's development partners must comply with strict standards. A4ID does not work with those who make their assistance contingent on religious or political affiliation. All Development Partners must maintain strong and transparent systems of governance and accountability. Their mission must be such that merits pro bono assistance. Further details of the criteria that A4ID applies to its Development Partners can be found within the About Us section under Core Documents. All of A4ID's work seeks to further the Millennium Development Goals.
Standards of legal assistance: All Legal Partners must abide by our Governing Code. This ensures that all legal advice and assistance provided is to the same standard as fee earning work: it must be treated with the same standards and with equal importance as work for paying clients. A copy of A4ID's Governing Code can be found in the About Us section of the website under Core Documents.
How it works in practice
A4ID circulates pro bono opportunities ('projects') to its Legal Partners every Monday.
Opportunities range from desk based work - spending a couple of hours reviewing a contract or carrying out research; to several days spent in-country delivering training or conducting litigation. For examples of international pro bono opportunities circulated to date, please visit the projects section of the website.
A4ID offers a two-tier allocation policy. Where matters are urgent, projects are allocated to the first lawyer or legal team with requisite expertise to have cleared conflicts. In all other circumstances, Legal Partners are given a week within which to apply for projects. A4ID adopts an 'opt-in' system whereby Legal Partners choose whether or not they wish to assist. Anonymous support may be given if preferred, and agreed with the Development Partner, particularly where requests are sensitive.
If your firm is a member of A4ID and you would like to find out more about the opportunities available, please contact your firm representative. A list of member law firm representatives can be found on our Legal Partners page under Law Firms.
How to get involved
Law firms
If you would like your firm to become involved in A4ID, please contact Katie Hutt,
A4ID's Executive Officer at katie.hutt@a4id.org.
A4ID's Core Team is always happy to come and meet with pro bono teams, partners, fee earners and support staff to discuss the work of A4ID and how to get involved.
Firms that are interested in becoming involved can join A4ID's weekly project circulation network for up to 6 months to view the variety of opportunities available. Subject to availability, non-member firms may also take on one project through A4ID before they become Legal Partners. This 'try before you buy' system allows firms to really experience working with A4ID before committing to membership.
Barristers & legal academics
If you are a barrister or legal academic and wish to become involved in pro bono opportunities through A4ID, please complete the membership form found at our Members page and return it to Alex Marseglia at the address shown on the form.
NB. Non-practicising legal academics may only engage in research-based activities. A4ID is only able to offer pro bono opportunities involving legal advice or assistance to firms and barristers. Individual solicitors in the UK cannot engage in pro bono opportunities unless they do so through their firm under the Solicitors Professional Practice Rules of England & Wales. If you are a solicitor whose firm is not a member of A4ID but you would like to get involved in your personal capacity, please visit our Members page. A4ID strongly encourages lawyers of all areas of expertise, levels of seniority and backgrounds to become involved. All A4ID member lawyers, including academic partners, can engage in legal research providing that this does not amount to legal advice. All work carried out by solicitors must be supervised by a partner.
Annual membership fees
For details of our fees, please view the attachment below.
