On 1 July the new model was introduced with the key aims of improving access to justice for the most disadvantaged and marginalised individuals in WA and building a thriving pro bono culture in WA.

The new model applies to all law firms who do legal work for any WA government departments and agencies. If a law firm does legal work for the WA government they are now required to:

  1. subscribe to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Target of 35 pro bono hours per lawyer per year; and
  2. undertake pro bono legal work, which assists marginalised and disadvantaged individuals in Western Australia, to the value of at least 10% of the legal work done by the firm for the WA government.

With funding support of the WA government, Law Access will be working in partnership with Community Legal Western Australia, the peak organisation for Community Legal Centres in WA, to assist with implementation of the model. Law Access has employed Garth Tinsley as Senior Lawyer to manage the implementation of the project for Law Access and Community Legal WA. Law Access looks forward to working with all stakeholders on the project.

Learn more about the WA pro bono model project and what it means for you here.