Bar Pro Bono Unit

The National Pro Bono Centre

48 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1JF
DX 188 London Chancery Lane
Email: enquiries@barprobono.org.uk
Individual
Application form
If you are from an organisation who wishes to apply please use the Organisation Application Form.
PLEASE READ THESE NOTES BEFORE APPLYING TO THE BAR PRO BONO UNIT
We can only assist if public funding cannot be obtained and if the Applicant is unable to pay privately.
We need a minimum of 3 weeks notice of any hearing date or deadline from the date all information needed is
received unless there are exceptional circumstances.
We can usually only help where an individual piece of work will take 3 days or less including preparation time.
Assistance is not guaranteed. Conduct of the case remains the Applicants responsibility at all times.
How to apply
1. All applications must be made through a referral agency such as a barrister, solicitor, appropriate advice
agency, Citizens Advice Bureau, Law Centre or your local MP
2. Complete all sections of this application form and ensure it is signed by your client or by you, as the referring
organisation.
3. Send the following to the Unit by post or DX (not fax or email). Applications must be submitted in hard copy
and always send photocopies not original documents we cannot accept responsibility for original
documents. The documents above must be supplied for a decision to be made as to whether we can assist.
Please tick to show what you have included:
Copies of key case documents. If there are a lot of documents, please ensure as a minimum that the
following are supplied at this stage. (The Unit must see the documents in bold)
Any court / tribunal papers, including court orders and judgments
Any letters or opinions from solicitors, barristers or advisers giving advice about the case
Key correspondence with any other person(s) involved, or their solicitors
Where help is requested with an appeal, a copy of the judgment being appealed
Where advice is required about a contract or formal document, a full copy of the contract /
document
Any other key documents (Please check overleaf for further information regarding documents that
must be included with this application form).
Are there any further relevant documents in existence not supplied with the application? Yes No
Please include on a separate sheet a list of what else is available
4. We aim to acknowledge all applications within 7 days.
PLEASE NOTE: Any documents supplied will be destroyed 8 weeks after closure of a file unless it is indicated
that the applicant wishes to recover papers from the Unit. Any such indication must be made at the time of making
the application or submitting any further documents. Papers can be recovered by the applicant or an adviser to
the applicant in person, by supplying a DX number, or by sending a cheque for postage. Papers must be recovered
within 8 weeks of the closure of a case by the Unit unless special arrangements are made with the Unit before this
time.
www.barprobono.org.uk 020 7092 3960
Further information
Sufficient documents should be included with an application for us to make a decision as to whether to assist a case
or not.
If there are more than 100 pages of papers please make a selection of what seems the most important; and
provide a summary of what other documents exist.
Always put documents in date order
Please provide a list at the front
We regrettably cannot accept applications or further information by email or fax.
There are further information sheets available from us specifying the documentation which needs to be provided for
the following types of case:
Criminal
Planning
Family (children and ancillary relief)
Employment
Immigration
These forms are available to download on www.barprobono.org.uk, or by contacting us.
It is not unusual for us to be approached for assistance by both sides in a case. If so,
for confidentiality reasons you will not be notified, but the requests will be dealt by
different caseworkers
1. Referring organisation details
Agency / firm* name (*delete):
Address:
Postcode:
DX:
Public tel: Fax:
Contact name:
Contact position:
Signature:
Direct line tel (this will NOT be
made available to the client):
Mobile tel:
Email:
2. Client details
Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Tel (day): Tel (evening): Tel (mob):
Email: Fax:
3. Courts and tribunals
Have proceedings been started in a court or tribunal in the case?: Y Please give details below
N Go straight to Question 5
Court / tribunal name:
Address:
Postcode:
Court case number:
Names of case (eg Smith v Ali):
Details of other party: And their solicitor (if known)
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
Telephone: Telephone:
Fax: Fax:
Email: Email:
If there is more than one party please provide full details on a separate sheet. It is not unusual for us to be
approached for assistance by both sides in a case. If so, for confidentiality reasons you will not be notified, but the
requests will be dealt by different caseworkers
4. Hearings give details of all future court / tribunal hearings
Hearing description Is hearing
listed yet?
Length (if not yet
listed, give
estimate)
Date(s) Time (eg
10am)
Y N
Y N
Y N
Y N
5. Other deadlines give details of any case deadline not already mentioned in Question 4
Date What needs to be done by the deadline
6. Case summary
Please give us a summary of the case facts and issues. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
This is a very important section. Please include all key dates and give details of any past court hearings.
It is not enough just to write Please see attached papers.
7. Type of assistance required
What assistance is requested from the Bar Pro Bono Unit?
Please explain if you need help by a particular date, especially any dates set out at Question 4 and 5.
8. Referring organisation assistance
What help is being given to the client by the referring organisation (named at Question 1)?
Ongoing assistance Help with filling in the application form
Other (please give details below)
On what basis is help being given to the client by the referring organisation?
Voluntary / charitable organisation Pro bono
Publicly funded (Legal Help / green form) Publicly funded (full certificate)
Privately funded (please give details below*) Conditional / contingency fee*
Other (please give details below) * (please provide a copy of the agreement)
If the case is accepted for assistance by us, would the referring organisation be able to assist with the following if
necessary? (please tick all which apply)
Attending meetings with a barrister and client Completing court documents
Taking witness statements Preparing bundles for court
Corresponding with other parties Attending court with a barrister and client
Negotiation with other parties Other (please give details below)
9. Other advice agency and solicitor assistance
Is assistance currently being given by any other advice agency or solicitor not already mentioned?
Has assistance been given in the past in the case by any other advice agency or solicitor?
Y N
Y N
If you have answered No to both these questions, go straight to question 10.
Otherwise, please give details of all advice agencies and solicitors who have been involved in the case below,
completing the details on a separate page if there has been more than one agency or firm involved with the case.
Agency / firm* name (*delete):
Contact name:
Address:
Postcode:
DX:
Tel: Direct line:
Email:
Dates of involvement From: To:
On what basis did they assist you:
Voluntary / charitable organisation Pro bono
Publicly funded (Legal Help / green form) Publicly funded (full certificate)
Conditional / contingency fee (No Win No Fee)* Privately funded*
Other (please give details below)
* If the Solicitors have acted on a Conditional/Contingency Fee or Privately Funded basis, please supply the Unit with
a copy of your agreement.
If you have had previous legal assistance, please supply copies of any advice provided.
If the firm / agency is no longer involved, please give reasons why not:
Financial information (Questions 10 17)
Please ensure that every section is completed fully. Leave no sections blank. If any section does not apply,
please write N/A or 0. Incomplete sections will delay your application.
10. Public funding (legal aid)
I confirm that public funding (legal aid) cannot be obtained in this case.
Please give reasons why public funding cannot be obtained. . Please provide copies of any correspondence with
and decisions from the LSC (Legal Services Commission). The LSC can be contacted via their Community Legal
Advice Website: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk.
Has public funding previously been available in the case? Y (give details below) N (go to question 11)
Dates: From: To:
Why was it withdrawn? Please supply reasons.
11. Other resources please include all relevant documentation
Is the applicant a member of a Union or similar organisation (eg medical
defence organisation)?
Y N
Does your home contents insurance include cover for legal expenses? Please
check with your insurance provider if you are not sure.
Y N
Have any of the following been approached for assistance?
Y N Free Representation Unit (FRU)
Y N LawWorks
Y N Other charities / advice agencies not mentioned already in the form
If you have approached any of the above organisations in this section, please give details in each case of any
approach made for help, the date of the approach, and what the response was (please continue on a separate
sheet if necessary):
12. Receipt of benefits
Does the applicant receive any of the benefits listed in this box?
Yes Please tick all which apply and give the monthly amount.
No
Income Support (monthly) NASS Support (monthly)
Jobseekers Allowance
(Income Based)
(monthly) Pension Credit
(Guaranteed)
(monthly)
13. Evidence of benefits
Yes, I have current proof Please specify what proof you have:
Please send a copy of the current proof of the benefits and amounts given at question 12.
No, I do not have current proof
For questions 14 to 18, please give all relevant financial details in the boxes provided, including those for any
family members to whom the applicant might reasonably look for help. Continue on a separate sheet if
necessary. Please put 0 where applicable.
14. Savings, investments and other major assets
Please give details of any savings, investments and other major assets the applicant or the applicants partner
have, including money in deposit accounts, shares owned, cars and other significant material assets etc.
Type of saving, investment or asset Value ()
15. Debts
Give details of any debt which the applicant has which is still outstanding, including the amount owed. Set out
those debts for which the applicant is currently making repayments and other debts where the applicant is not
currently making repayments.
Creditor Sum still owed () Monthly repayment if any ()
16. Property
Does the applicant or the applicants partner own any property (including a home)? Y N
Please list each property below and continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Please refer to Section 11 about home and contents insurance
Address of property (if not the applicants own home,
please give further details)
Approximate current
market value ()
Mortgage outstanding ()
17. Income (monthly) Please put 0 in any box where there is no income from that source
Salary (gross) Benefits (any not already
given at question 12)

Bonuses Rental income

Partners salary Other (please specify):
Pension
Income from savings/
investments

Maintenance
Total monthly gross
income :

Please continue to section 18

18. Expenditure (monthly) Please put 0 in any box where there is no expenditure on that item
Rent Credit cards / hire purchase
Mortgage Leisure
Council tax Other (please specify):
Home insurance
Household bills
Food / clothing
Transport
Loan repayments
Total monthly expenditure:
Number of Dependents (please specify):
19. Further information
Please set out below any further information as to why you feel unable to pay for legal assistance (if applicable)
Data Protection Notice
The Bar Pro Bono Unit will process information about the applicant and the applicants case to assess, administer and review
the application, and any future application. Processing may include disclosing information to and receiving information from
third parties such as advice agencies, voluntary organisations, courts, the Legal Services Commission, legal expense insurers,
trade unions and legal advisers where necessary under suitable obligations of confidence. We will receive a report of the
results achieved in the applicants case from the barrister provided including a record of any advice or hearing. Unless we are
asked not to, we may also produce an anonymised report of the case, for example, in the Bar Pro Bono Unit newsletter. In the
rare instances where both sides of a matter apply to the Unit for assistance, both sides will be informed in writing that the Unit
has also received an application for assistance for the other party. By making this application you confirm that you consent to
the above processing of your information.
In some cases we may want to discuss details of your case with LawWorks, ILEX Pro Bono Forum, the
Employment Lawyers Association, or another charity giving pro bono help. Please tick the box if you would prefer
us not to discuss the case with them.
Statement of truth
I certify that the information in this application is to the best of my knowledge true, accurate and
complete, and understand that any decision to refer a case to a volunteer barrister for assistance is taken
on that basis. I understand that assistance is not guaranteed at any stage.
Signature: Dated:
Name (block capitals):
If not the applicant, relationship to the applicant:
When filling in this form on behalf of your client, please read the Data Protection Notice and Statement of
truth to them. Signing or making the application for someone else signifies their consent.
Equal Opportunities
The Bar Pro Bono Unit aims to assist in cases irrespective of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability,
physical appearance, creed, religion and political persuasion.
In order to help us monitor the effectiveness of our equal opportunities policy, we ask all applicants to provide the
information indicated below. This information will only be used for monitoring and statistical purposes
This section will be detached from the application form, and will not be accessible by our volunteer case
reviewers or panel members.
Ethnic origin
I would describe my ethnic origin as:
A) White British
English
Scottish
Welsh
Northern Irish
White Other
Irish
Other White: ______________
B) Mixed
White & Black Caribbean
White & Black African
White & Asian
Mixed British
Other Mixed: ____________
C) Asian
Indian
Pakistani
Bangladeshi
Chinese
British
Other Asian: _____________
D) Black
Caribbean
African
British
Other Black: _______________
E) Other
Any other ethnic background,
please describe: ______________
F) Would prefer not to indicate
Age and gender
Age at date of application:.. Would prefer not to indicate
Gender:
Male Female Would prefer not to indicate
Disability
Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes No Would prefer not to indicate
If yes, please tick any of the list below which apply.
Dyslexic
Blind / partially sighted
Deaf / hearing impairment
Wheelchair use / mobility
difficulties
Need personal care
Mental health difficulties
Unseen disability (eg asthma,
diabetes, epilepsy
Multiple difficulties
Other:
____________________________
Would prefer not to indicate
Source of information about the Bar Pro Bono Unit
Where did you hear about the Bar Pro Bono Unit?
Law Centre
RCJ Citizens Advice Bureau
Other Citizens Advice Bureau
Other advice agency:
____________________________
Free Representation Unit (FRU)
LawWorks
Solicitor
Barrister
Court / Tribunal
Bar Council
Media / Press
Bar Pro Bono Unit website
Other website :
_____________________________
Made a previous application
Other (please specify):
_____________________________