Three firms endorse pro bono pledge

In a significant move for the legal sector, Lloyds Banking Group, Mondelez International and Societe Generale have become the latest signatories to the In House Pro Bono Pledge, raising the total number of signatories to 25. This announcement, made in London on 27 October 2026, highlights a growing commitment among major UK employers to integrate pro bono legal support within their corporate legal teams. The Pledge, which was co-founded by the In House Pro Bono Group, the GC100, and the National Pro Bono Centre, was launched in April 2024 and has garnered endorsements from key sector bodies including LawWorks and Advocate.

Since its inception, the Pledge has attracted a coalition of notable companies, including Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Goldman Sachs, GSK, IHG Hotels & Resorts, ITV, London Stock Exchange Group, Ocado Group, Taylor Wimpey, United Utilities, and Whitbread. With demand for free legal advice outpacing available resources, the need for such initiatives is urgent. Research conducted by LawWorks and the National Pro Bono Centre revealed that enquiries to clinics in the LawWorks network increased by 17.5% year-on-year to surpass 106,000 in 2025. Furthermore, the number of individuals who went without legal advice rose to approximately 26,000, compared to 24,000 in 2024. Studies from Pragmatix Advisory for the NPBC indicated a dire situation, with 87% of legal support charities at risk of closing, scaling back, or limiting client access if pro bono support ceased.

The In House Pro Bono Pledge aims to enhance the capacity of legal clinics and not-for-profit organisations by calling on legal professionals to contribute their expertise. In addition to committing in-house pro bono time, signatories are also required to seek details on the pro bono activities of their primary external law firms, encouraging a collaborative approach to support. The announcement comes alongside updated guidance on the Pledge, designed to assist signatories in implementing their commitments effectively.

The Rt Hon. the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, expressed the importance of the Pledge, saying "The In House Pro Bono Pledge exists to make participation practical and measurable for busy legal teams. It encourages a culture of pro bono work and highlights the important role that it plays in improving access to justice and supporting communities."

Kate Cheetham, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary of Lloyds Banking Group, also acknowledged the significance of the initiative, stating “Legal expertise makes a real difference to people and organisations who can otherwise struggle to access justice and the legal support they need. It aligns strongly to our purpose of Helping Britain Prosper and I’m proud of the many colleagues who already volunteer their time and skills through pro bono work. Signing the Pledge recognises that contribution and I believe will encourage even more pro bono activity across our legal team.”

Sunil Sehgal, Chief Counsel UK&I at Mondelez International, reflected on their longstanding commitment to community service, remarking “We’ve given back to our consumers and the communities we operate in for over 200 years. Pro bono gives our legal team a meaningful way to make a difference. Signing the pledge allows us to formalise our approach and helps us foster a stronger pro bono culture and community spirit across the firm.”

Lindsay Sides, UK General Counsel at Societe Generale, highlighted the growing challenges in accessing justice, saying "Access to justice is a growing problem, as legal aid shrinks and the cost of advice climbs beyond the reach of those who need it most. Our lawyers have a carefully honed skillset, and there is real value, and real reward, in putting it to work in the service of people and organisations who would otherwise go without. Joining the In House Pro Bono Pledge reflects a simple conviction: that those of us with the expertise to help should use it, and that doing so openly and measurably encourages others to do the same."

Through the Pledge, signatories commit to transformative actions that include appointing a Pro Bono Champion, integrating pro bono activities within corporate social responsibility initiatives, and encouraging at least 25% of UK-based in-house lawyers to undertake pro bono work in the first year, with aims to increase that figure to 50% by the third year. This initiative not only exemplifies a dedicated effort towards enhancing access to justice, but also encourages a culture of mutual support and community commitment across the corporate legal landscape