Abstract

Aware that the Australian Bureau of Statistics last surveyed the legal profession in 2001-2002 and that it did not intend to survey the profession again until 2009, the National Pro Bono Resource Centre planned its own series of national surveys of pro bono practice. The aim was to collect data about current pro bono practice by surveying individual solicitors, barristers and law firms in each State and Territory and to then assemble and publish the findings. Commencing in early 2006, a pilot survey of individual solicitors was conducted online in Queensland. Other States and Territories were surveyed during 2006-2007, using a slightly modified online questionnaire. Data about individual solicitor respondents, from age and seniority to type, location and policies of their firm, details of their pro bono practice and their attitudes to pro bono and to Legal Aid work, were compiled and cross-referenced to produce this Report.