The words 'Pro Bono' are Latin and mean 'for the public good.'
The Pro Bono Programme allows individuals who cannot afford a lawyer to seek free advice and representation from legally qualified volunteer lawyers. The Programme offers services ranging from basic one-time legal advice to full case management and representation in court proceedings.
Pro Bono legal assistance is provided to individuals who:
Please note legal assistance is not provided on criminal or family law matters.
Eligible individuals must certify that they do not have the financial means to pay for legal advice. Additionally, they must provide the lawyer with relevant documents related to their query or case, such as employment contracts, tenancy agreements, etc., for their perusal in order to receive tailored advice.
Legal clinics - Individuals can receive free legal advice from a volunteer lawyer either ‘face to face’ or ‘online’.
Face-to-face: The Clinics are held on a regular basis throughout the year and operate on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis, with no prior appointments necessary. The Clinics are held at the DIFC Courts, Level 3, Precinct Building 5 (South), The Gate District, DIFC, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm every Tuesday and Thursday (subject to Ramadan timings and UAE Government holidays)
Online: For individuals based outside of Dubai, legal advice can be provided online. Requests for online free legal advice are to be submitted here
Disclaimer:
The above information and FAQs are provided free of charge as a community service by the Pro Bono Programme and drafted by our registered volunteer lawyers. Such information/FAQs provided as a service is of a general nature, and is not specifically provided for the purpose of, or use in, any court case. The information/FAQs are given as a matter of general guidance and by way of broad pointers only. It is not intended to replace, supplement or do away with the need for professional legal advice and/or legal action.
Legal representation - If an individual is a party to a claim filed with the DIFC Courts and the assistance of a law firm is required to progress the claim, the Programme will help to assign a volunteer law firm to such cases. The volunteer law firm and the individual are required to sign a letter of engagement which outlines the scope of services exchanged between the parties. Pro Bono engagements can range from basic advice to full case management and trial, as well as representation in proceedings. Applications are to be submitted online here
Cost free trials - A costs-free trial allows potential Claimants the opportunity to bring a claim before the DIFC Courts without the fear or risk of paying the other side’s legal fees. The scheme requires that a litigant demonstrate to a Pro Bono Committee that there is a reasonable prospect that their case will succeed, and in the instance that they win the said claim, costs are paid by the opposing party into the Pro Bono Fund. For further information please refer to Rules 38.98 - 38.106 of the DIFC Courts. Applications are to be submitted by way of email to pro.bono@difccourts.ae by a volunteer law firm on behalf of its Pro Bono client.
Fee suspensions - A Pro Bono litigant can, at any time, apply to the Programme Leader to have the court fees suspended until the end of the case. The Programme Leader has absolute discretion in determining whether court fees are to be suspended and to what extent. Applications are to be submitted by email to pro.bono@difccourts.ae
For more information on the Pro Bono Programme, please call us on 04 427 3333 or e-mail pro.bono@difccourts.ae
Over 3,755 individuals helped
Over 40 volunteer lawyers
Over 35 volunteer law firms
(*Statistics as of 1 January 2024)
