Top 250 UK firm Bindmans is seeking to improve access to justice by donating 10% of client fees to a new fund set up to help vulnerable individuals receive free legal advice.
The 10% Social Justice Fund (SJF) – which Bindmans says is the first of its kind in the legal sector – will not only help provide legal services to those most in need, but also support clients with their environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores.
Gabrielle Plews, who created the concept and heads up Bindmans’ new corporate and commercial team, said: “The 10% Social Justice Fund is a unique concept that allows our business clients to directly impact and positively increase access to social justice while simultaneously achieving their ESG goals.
“When I envisaged this concept, it was with Bindmans in mind. Only a law firm with their ethos could deliver this kind of change to the business world and legal services market.”
Bindmans says the SJF builds on the firm’s “proud record in human rights and social justice”, having been founded 50 years ago by noted human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman.
During the fund’s first year, Bindmans will partner with two charities that are dedicated to social justice – the Access to Justice Foundation and Just4Kids Law – with each organisation set to receive 50% of the fund’s proceeds.
The Access to Justice Foundation provides free legal advice to people and communities that are most in need, while Just4Kids Law provides legal advice and representation to children in the criminal justice system.
Clare Carter, chief executive officer at the Access to Justice Foundation, said: “Access to Justice Foundation and Bindmans’ 10% Social Justice Fund are a perfect fit with shared track records on access to justice. We will work together to ensure that disadvantaged individuals have access to the life changing legal advice they need.”
Last year, UK general counsel at companies including Coca-Cola, GSK, ITV, Ocado and Goldman Sachs signed up to the UK In-House Pro Bono Pledge to encourage in-house teams to engage in more pro bono activities and enhance access to justice. The initiative is being spearheaded by the In-House Pro Bono Group in partnership with the National Pro Bono Centre and in-house association GC100.
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