What is the difference between legal aid and pro bono service? Read on to find out.
A legal aid or legal services office is a group of lawyers who represent people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. The lawyer is compensated for the work through grants distributed by the government. To qualify for legal aid, one must fit the financial criteria set by the government.
A pro bono lawyer takes a case for free but otherwise works for fee-paying clients. All lawyers are encouraged to set aside some time for pro bono, as it helps clients whose cases may otherwise lack access to proper representation and justice. This is a voluntary undertaking, so the lawyer can determine whether their service will cover a portion or the entirety of a client’s case for free. Pro bono is considered to be volunteer work and requires no payment. Pro bono attorneys often donate their time to legal aid organizations.