The term Pro Bono is the short form of the Latin term Pro Bono Publico which is translated to mean " for the public good". The term over the years has been seen as the rendering of free legal services but this goes beyond that view as it ought to be a mandatory task for all Lawyers.
Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association Model Rule of professional conduct, makes it obligatory for all Lawyers in the US to engage in Pro Bono. EveryLawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay and a lawyer in the US is to aspire to render at least fifty hours of Pro Bono Publicoservice every year.
In Nigeria, the Legal Aid Council (“LAC”), under the Federal Ministry of Justice, was set up in 1976 by the federal government to provide free legal assistance and advice to Nigerian citizens who could not afford the services of a private lawyer.
Reviewing the systems above, do we think there should be a body to compel lawyers to engage in Pro Bono or leave the task for the government agencies.
Please give your comments below.
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