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Online pro bono program boosts barrister referrals
The Victorian Bar has released a new online pro bono platform from which the County, Coroners and Supreme Courts are able to make referrals directly to barristers.
Naomi Neilson
With the online pro bono program, the platform will “enhance arrangements” between the courts and the bar by facilitating targeted requests from the courts for any Victorian barrister to provide critical assistance to parties in civil or criminal matters.
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According to a statement from the Victorian Bar, the pro bono program will enable any interested barristers to administer and manage all of their pro bono matters in one place. This platform is the “next evolution in the [bar’s] long and proud history”.
The platform is an additional way for barristers to be referred pro bono matters. While the first ran in connection to Justice Connect’s referral system which administers and assesses pro bono requests by members of the public, this newest system manages all court-based referrals from major Victorian courts right to the attending barrister.
“The Victorian Bar acknowledges the assistance of the courts and significant financial contribution of the Legal Services Board plus commissioner and the substantial in-kind contribution from Icon Legacy to the development of the program,” the bar said.
“We also acknowledge the superb contribution of our own [pro bono committee], who worked closely with the [bar administration] in designing and testing the program.”
