LexisNexis, a leading provider of content and technology solutions, has arranged for more than 220 pro bono clinics supported by legal advice charity, LawWorks, throughout England and Wales to benefit from its market-leading LexisPSL suite, as part of its longstanding support of LawWorks.
Thousands of volunteer lawyers at the pro bono clinics now have access to the practical guidance tool, LexisPSL, to help them work more efficiently in supporting those that might otherwise not get access to legal advice.
LexisPSL is a user-friendly practical guidance tool providing expertly created and curated content across more than 30 practice areas. In addition to precedents with accompanying drafting notes, it offers short and concise practice notes, with the capability to link to deeper research in Lexis®Library, the UK’s most authoritative legal library.
James Harper, LexisNexis UK’s Executive Sponsor of Rule of Law (and Head of Customer Engagements for LexisPSL), explained that the aims of LawWorks, which has more than 140 member organisations working to ensure access to legal advice for all, sit perfectly with the central objective of LexisNexis to advance the Rule of Law around the world.
James said: “Everything we do, whether commercially, in partnerships or on a pro bono basis, works towards the aim of advancing the Rule of Law – of which, ensuring access to justice is a fundamental strand. With the complexity of the law and other factors, such as cuts to Legal Aid funding, there is an increase in unmet legal need in the UK, meaning that the work of LawWorks and the clinics they support is more important than ever. As such, we are delighted to be able to ramp up our support even further to include the provision of LexisPSL.”
James described how the practical guidance tool impacts on the work of volunteer lawyers striving to give legal advice to those unable to afford it.
“Those working in law clinics will often not know what they will be faced with when meeting a new client. Doing everything we can to support that process, with simple and practical content, will only benefit the client. While some volunteer advisors may have access to research tools at the law firms they work for, that resource is often not available at the clinic. Now, with access to LexisPSL at the clinics, all of the advisors will be able to access our leading content while the client is there. The advice can then be provided more quickly and efficiently, meaning more people can access these vital services.”
LexisNexis has been working in partnership with LawWorks for nearly a decade, including through its sponsorship of the annual Attorney General Student Pro-Bono Awards, which recognise the best pro bono activity by law students and law schools and celebrate the impact on those who have been assisted. This is in addition to its activity around the world, partnering with numerous organisations (including the United Nations and various governments), leveraging the skills and assets of LexisNexis and its employees to make an impact across access to justice, judicial training, the provision of laws and legal equality.
LawWorks Chief Executive Martin Barnes added: “LawWorks is incredibly proud of its long-standing partnership with LexisNexis. While pro bono is not a substitute for legal aid, we are passionate about the contribution it makes in enabling access to justice. The independent clinics in the LawWorks network rely on the commitment of thousands of volunteers, but many clinics get-by with very limited means or infrastructure. LexisPSL provides a valuable resource for volunteer lawyers in a pro bono setting, enhancing the legal advice service to often very vulnerable clients.”
