Legal resources to help organisations operate sustainably
06/27/2023
Dealing with legal matters may not be the first issue that comes to mind when we think about sustainability. However, for any organisation, having access to legal advice and representation is critical in order to operate on a sustainable footing.
Accessing legal services can be expensive for individuals and organisations alike. With many people struggling to pay their bills, let alone afford legal representation, charities who offer legal advice are facing increasing demand for their services. In recognition of the strain many charities are facing, in November the UK Government announced £12 million of new grant funding for charities who provide legal support.
But for charities themselves, access to legal support is critical. Analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research has found that charities may be losing up to £1.2 billion a year due to legal issues, with disputes relating to intellectual property, employee issues, and property among the most costly. The same analysis found the average UK charity is likely to encounter eight legal issues each year.
Legal tools and resources for voluntary organisations
The good news for charities and voluntary organisations is that there are many helpful legal resources available to charities, many of them accessible for free.
1. LawWorks
LawWorks, a charity operating in England, links voluntary organisations with pro-bono lawyers specialising in various areas of law. Organisations can apply for either one-off legal assistance or ongoing support. LawWorks uses its network of member law firms to try to find a suitable volunteer match.
LawWorks has also produced a free series of short online videos covering common legal issues faced by small non-profits.
Case study: Healthwatch Islington
Healthwatch Islington aims to improve access to health and care services in the London Borough of Islington. When the charity was in the process of moving premises, it sought help from LawWorks to review the terms of its draft lease. HealthWatch Islington was paired with a volunteer solicitor from law firm Howard Kennedy, and thanks to the advice it received, is now in the process of completing its move.
Find out more about LawWorks’ support for non-profits.
2. TrustLaw
TrustLaw is a pro bono legal service provided by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Voluntary organisations who join TrustLaw have access to their own online account where they can submit a request for free legal support from a volunteer lawyer.
TrustLaw also publishes various how-to guides, including on issues such as legal structures and governance. In addition, TrustLaw can also help support organisations’ policy and advocacy agendas. Through its legal network, TrustLaw produces in-depth research and analysis on laws relating to social issues such as human trafficking, forced labour, domestic violence, and sexual and reproductive health.
Visit the TrustLaw website.
3. A4ID
Organisations can get a better understanding of their legal needs, and identify any areas requiring attention, using A4ID’s free online legal health check.
After registering and answering some multiple choice questions about their organisation, users will be given some brief legal guidance and suggestions as to areas where they may require legal advice.
Register for an online legal health check.
Case study: ChildHope
A4ID can also provide support in finding pro bono legal advice.
ChildHope UK is a charity that supports thousands of children growing up in some of the world’s toughest environments, including extreme poverty and violence.
ChildHope approached A4ID to help source free legal advice in relation to an application to extend a long-term funding programme supporting girls in Ethiopia, through the UK Department for International
Development. ChildHope was paired with law firm Allen & Overy LLP, who pored through more than 100 pages of legal documents and provided valuable advice on key details of the terms of the funding.
4. London Legal Support Trust
The London Legal Support Trust is an independent charity that raises money for free legal advice services in London and the South-East. The charity supports more than 100 organisations across the region every year.
Find out more about the London Legal Support Trust.
Read the entire series
- Sustainability and the role of the voluntary sector
- Supporting organisations to become financially sustainable
- Strategy, planning and sustainability in the voluntary sector
- Putting people at the heart of your sustainability strategy
- Repair and reuse - helpful resources to support charities' sustainability goals
- Using technology sustainably - how charities can support digital inclusion
