Letter: Pro bono value

The Free Legal Services Unit of the Faculty of Advocates welcomes the arrival of LawWorks Scotland onto the pro bono legal scene (your report, 13 December). Pro bono legal work has always been an integral part of membership of the Bar as part of its work in providing access to justice and meeting otherwise unmet legal need.

We have been working with nearly 20 partner advice agencies since 2004 to help address unmet legal need in Scotland.

We have provided advice and representation in a diverse range of cases in courts and tribunals and elsewhere.

Pro bono legal work is always only an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, a proper system of publicly-funded legal services.

The faculty and its partner advice agencies are committed to working for the improvement of publicly funded legal advice and representation for appropriate cases. We look forward to sharing in that task with LawWorks Scotland in the coming months and years.

Mungo Bovey QC

Free Legal Services Unit

Faculty of Advocates

Parliament House

Edinburgh