Founded in England and Wales in 2001 as National Pro Bono Week before successfully expanding in 2020 to include Northern Ireland and Scotland, the annual series of events recognises and supports the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession in giving free legal help to those in need.

The theme was announced at a meeting in Parliament of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee on 2 July 2026, chaired by the Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP, who said: “I am delighted to see the announcement for the UK’s 25th anniversary Pro Bono Week, which will be an important milestone to celebrate and reflect on the contribution of the legal profession in volunteering their time pro bono.”

Taking place against the backdrop of unmet legal need and a rapidly changing legal landscape including because of AI, organisers say this year’s theme offers the opportunity to consider the role of pro bono in the long-term. To that end organisers have announced three sub-topics for this year’s Pro Bono Week:

• Celebrate the legal profession’s long tradition of pro bono, and reflect on 25 years of sector progress in supporting access to justice.
• Inspire lawyers to action pro bono going forward, by showcasing both how pro bono impacts lives and has professional benefits.
• Discuss how pro bono should be delivered over the next 25 years to address unmet needs in a changing legal landscape.

Running from Monday 2 to Friday 6 November 2026, this year’s UK Pro Bono Week will kick off with a special launch event hosted by TrustLaw. During the week a new commemorative exhibition will highlight the history of pro bono in the UK over the decades and centuries.

Contributions are sought for the exhibition – which is set to be taken on tour to different UK locations – and those with historic photographs or other media to share are encouraged to contact: info@probonoweek.org.uk.

There is still time for law firms, chambers, charities, in-house legal teams, local law societies and universities to join those already planning in-person and online events.

Toby Brown, barrister and chair of the UK Pro Bono Week organising committee, said: “As UK Pro Bono Week enters its 25th year, the organising committee has chosen a theme which not only celebrates our history but also reflects on the future of pro bono across the UK.

“At a time defined by different challenges and the rapid transformation of legal practice by AI, it is encouraging to see that the legal profession remains strongly committed to pro bono.

“Building on last year’s bumper series of around 60 events in over a dozen cities and online, we are looking forward to working closely with firms, chambers, in-house legal teams, charities and universities on a programme fit for our silver anniversary.”

Neil Mackenzie KC, convenor of the Faculty of Advocates’ Free Legal Services Unit, said: “Pro bono work is not a favour the profession does for the public. It is the oldest obligation of the law, dressed up too often as generosity.

“Inspired by initiatives such as Pro Bono Week, Scotland is building the apparatus to honour that obligation more effectively. What has changed is structure: a Roundtable, a Guide, a recognition page, growing efforts to match what the profession can offer to what communities actually need, and now legislation that allows lawyers to go to the territory rather than wait for need to find them.

“The Faculty of Advocates’ Free Legal Services Unit is proud to be a part of that movement. But our efforts over the next 25 years will be judged by the number of people who received help they could not otherwise afford.”