Only 50 per cent of firms with 50 or more lawyers now take part, down from 53 per cent twelve months back. The results are based on a survey to which 41 of the 55 Australian firms with 50 or more lawyers took part. 

Longer hours

However, the profession seems to be splitting between those which are becoming more interested and those with no current committment. Among those who still act in a pro bono capacity, the average number of hours they donate is on the increase. It now measures 31.7 in large firms - up on 29.9 hours in 2012 and 29 in 2010. This is an increase of 9.3 per cent over the last four years. Source: Lawyers Weekly