9 August

Lawyers need to be better prepared to help disadvantaged clients with ADR

A new research report prepared by the National Pro Bono Resource Centre (“the Centre”) identifies the need for lawyers to be better equipped to assist people experiencing disadvantage to participate in ADR. The research indicates that considerable variation still exists among legal professionals in their level of knowledge about ADR and their confidence to assist parties experiencing disadvantage that are participating in ADR processes.

The research also found that the greatest need was for legal advice and representation for disadvantaged and marginalised clients rather than lawyers acting pro bono as ADR practitioners. The report found that lawyers should be clear about which of these roles they are playing and possess the appropriate skills and experience for that role.

Read the full report from the NPBRC website here