One Essex Court and its members support a number of socially responsible initiatives and charitable organisations, with a particular focus on improving access to justice via engaging in and supporting pro bono work.
Pro bono work
Both individually and collectively, chambers makes a substantial contribution to pro bono legal work.
Many members regularly volunteer their time and expertise under the auspices of Advocate, the charity that matches members of the public who need free legal help to volunteer barristers and the Chancery Bar Litigant in Person Support Scheme (CLIPS) (in which several members have received recognition as CLIPS Pro Bono Champions) and on an ad hoc basis.
Chambers received a special mention at last year’s Bar Pro Bono Awards for an initiative to provide pro bono representation for private hire drivers in defending licence revocation hearings in the Magistrates Court.
10 members were recently recognised in Advocate’s 25 for 25 pro bono challenge: Alyssa Stansbury, Andrew McCleod, Clare Reffin, Conall Patton KC, Eleanor Campbell, Matthew Hoyle, Michael Fealy KC, Michael Kotrly, Richard Mott and Veena Srirangam.
Conall Patton KC is one of Advocate’s trustees.
Chambers has also recently become one of the inaugural signatories to Advocate’s Pro Bono Framework.
Alexander Brown, Andrew McLeod, Jackie Ginty and Daniele Thripp are One Essex Court’s Pro Bono Champions. Working with Advocate, Pro Bono Champions act as a key point of contact to encourage, support and promote One Essex Court’s contributions to pro bono work.
Pro Bono Connect
The award-winning Pro Bono Connect scheme was set up by Jamie Goldsmith KC. It aims to provide greater access to justice by matching barristers and solicitors acting pro bono in civil matters to individuals, charities and community groups who cannot afford legal advice/representation. In addition to Jamie Goldsmith KC, a number of other barristers from One Essex Court are currently involved in directing and administering the scheme, including Eleanor Campbell, Andrew Lodder, James MacDonald KC, Simon Gilson and Marcos Dracos.
Pro Bono Expert Support
Jamie Goldsmith KC has recently launched a new Pro Bono Expert Support scheme through Pro Bono Connect and the National Pro Bono Centre. Pro Bono Expert Support is the UK’s first pro bono litigation support service, which aims to bring together litigation support providers and experts in order to support pro bono clients through litigation. The scheme was announced at an event held during Pro Bono Week 2023 at the Supreme Court and is supported by members of the judiciary including Lady Rose and Mr Justice Robin Knowles.
Other charities we support
Advocate - One Essex Court is a Gold Circle Pro Bono Patron of Advocate, the bar’s principal pro bono charity.
Free Representation Unit (FRU) – One Essex Court continues to provide financial contributions to this charity which provides free legal representation for the public.
Temple Music Foundation – One Essex Court is a patron of the Temple Music Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports the development of music with the Temple and contributes resources, where possible, towards the education of the Temple Church’s choristers.
Times Law Awards
Chambers established and sponsors the Times Law Awards, with the Times Newspaper, which is an annual essay prize competition open to students, pupils and trainee solicitors. Entries are judged by a panel of senior figures, including one Supreme Court justice and Lord Grabiner KC, head of chambers at One Essex Court. Further details can be found here.
Environment
We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our work.
As part of that commitment, chambers uses 100% recycled paper for all printing tasks and has a comprehensive recycling policy in place.