LawWorks Pro Bono Podcasting LawWorks

LawWorks' Richard Pitkethly talks to Hannah Lennox, Trainee Solicitor at BPP Legal Advice Clinic, about a recent strike-out in the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Residential Property).

LawWorks' Richard Pitkethly talks to Matt Hunt, Head of Not-for-Profits and Secondary Specialisation at LawWorks about challenging Work Capability Assessment decisions.

LawWorks' Richard Pitkethly talks to Roni Marsh about Universal Credit.

Tony Martin of BPP looks at the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

LawWorks' Richard Pitkethly talks to Greg Hodder, Access to Justice Foundation about pro bono cost orders, which provide vital funding for free legal help.

Before 2008, legal costs could not be awarded in cases where the winning party was represented for free. Section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2008 changed this.

Pro bono costs are just like ordinary legal costs, but applicable where a party received free legal representation. If a civil case is won with pro bono help, pro bono costs can be ordered by the court, or included in settlements. The free legal help may be provided by any lawyer in the proceedings.

The costs cover any period when free representation was provided and the amount is based on what a paying client would recover.

The costs must be paid to the prescribed charity, the Access to Justice Foundation, which distributes the money to agencies and projects that give free legal help to those in need. Front line agencies responsible for obtaining pro bono costs can expect to receive up to 50% of the costs recovered.

For additional information, see: www.atjf.org.uk/pro-bono-costs-orders.html

Tony Martin, BPP University provides an introduction to the Tenants Fees Act 2019.