This year’s UK Pro Bono Week, themed “The Power of Pro Bono,” celebrates the impactful stories of lawyers and law students who volunteer their time to help those in need and ensure access to justice.
Alessia de Quincey, Counsel at Pallas, shares her pro bono experience working with the Chancery Bar Litigant in Person Support Scheme (CLiPS) in her capacity as a solicitor advocate and discusses the future of pro bono work in the legal industry.
Could you give us an overview of the CLiPS scheme and Pallas’ involvement?
The CLiPS scheme, established by the Chancery Bar Association in 2013, is a duty scheme designed to assist individuals who are representing themselves in the Interim Applications Court and the Central London County Court.
The scheme focuses on supporting litigants in person with urgent applications before the Court. This includes bringing or defending freezing injunction applications as well as eviction notices. The CLiPS scheme offers a solution by facilitating unpaid volunteer barristers and solicitor advocates to assist litigants in person before the Court. This ensures that, even though a party is representing itself, it will still have the benefit of crucial legal support, assisting the Court in the smooth running of such applications. I understand that Pallas is one of only two solicitor firms in the UK that regularly contributes to this scheme.
What motivated you to participate in the CLiPS scheme?
Pallas has supported the CLiPS scheme since the firm was founded, with lawyers across all levels actively involved. I was particularly drawn to the immediate impact we can have in assisting clients and the opportunity to advocate before the court on behalf of clients in need of urgent interim relief.
How frequently do you volunteer with the scheme?
I aim to volunteer once every two months, and I am grateful for Pallas’ support in this initiative. When I sign up for the volunteering days, Pallas always ensures that any commitments are prioritised without conflicts. This level of support enables me to fully engage in pro bono work.
What does a typical day as a volunteer with CLiPS look like?
The typical process usually starts the night before with a heads-up from the judge’s clerk about potential cases. On the morning of the day, I introduce myself, and, if there is a client, receive all the necessary documents from the clerk. I then have the opportunity to review the papers and meet my client. There is a designated room for CLiPS lawyers and clients to discuss the case and prepare.
At 10:00 AM, the judge briefly sits to plan the day’s timetable, which often includes multiple applications. I introduce myself, confirm my representation for CLiPS, and then proceed, subject to client instructions, to give oral submissions on the case shortly thereafter.
Can you describe a memorable case you worked on through the scheme?
One memorable case involved defending an application for a freezing injunction against the sale of a property in the context of a long-standing family dispute over the allocation of proceeds. There were two litigants in person and a disruptive third party related to the family. We succeeded in persuading the applicant to withdraw his freezing injunction application and staged a mediation, which led to settling the disagreement between the main parties. This was despite the third party’s attempts to derail the process. This positive outcome was significant because, without our intervention, the parties would likely have remained entrenched in their positions. It was a prime example of how representatives at CLiPS can add value and drive solutions to support both litigating parties and the Court.
How would you describe your experience volunteering with CLiPS?
Working with the CLiPS scheme is highly motivating for volunteering solicitor advocates. It allows us to provide urgent and focused advice to clients and advocate on their behalf before the Court in order to assist the smooth running and fair outcome of the case. Through the CLiPS scheme, we are enhancing access to justice for those who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. The judges’ appreciation for the time and support from CLiPS representatives also makes this experience more fulfilling.
Looking at the broader picture, how do you see pro bono work influencing the legal industry in the future?
I believe there will be an increasing need for pro bono work due to legal aid cuts and the financial struggles many people face in affording legal representation. As more lawyers seek to make a difference and address these inequalities, law firms will need to continue to support pro bono initiatives to attract and retain top talent. At Pallas, we recognise the importance of pro bono services, and this commitment has led us to build an award-winning pro bono team. Since launch, we have taken on 20 pro bono matters and recorded over 3,500 hours, well above the industry average. I look forward to continuing getting involved in the CLiPS scheme and more pro bono work ahead.
To learn more about Pallas’ pro bono commitments, visit our Pro Bono page.
