LawWorks & pro bono — free legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27
What this service is
"Pro bono" means free legal help from solicitors and barristers. Two main routes exist:
- LawWorks — the solicitors' pro bono charity. Runs free legal advice clinics across England and Wales and supports litigants in person (lawworks.org.uk)
- Advocate — the Bar's pro bono charity, matching cases to barristers for advice and representation where merited (weareadvocate.org.uk)
What they can and cannot do
- ✅ Clinics can review your problem, explain your position, help with next steps; Advocate can sometimes provide representation at hearings in worthwhile cases
- ❌ Pro bono is discretionary and capacity-limited — there is no right to it, and family cases are among the hardest to place (though advice on specific points is often possible)
How to use them
1. LawWorks clinic finder: lawworks.org.uk — enter your postcode to find the nearest free legal advice clinic; bring your papers 2. Advocate: apply online at weareadvocate.org.uk — a meritorious case and inability to pay are assessed 3. Also ask your local law school: many university law clinics help with family paperwork
How this fits your family court case
Use pro bono for specific legal questions (what the test is, what evidence you need, what an order means) — and combine it with the practical support (Support Through Court, Citizens Advice) and guides on this site.
Official links
- https://www.lawworks.org.uk (clinic finder + litigant-in-person resources)
- https://weareadvocate.org.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with LawWorks or Advocate.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.