In its 2012 Year End Report, the Law Society of British Columbia's Access to Legal Services Advisory Committee considered the following issues relating to pro bono legal service:

1. How should the Law Society define pro bono?
2. Should pro bono participation be mandatory?
3. Should Law Society funding for pro bono be increased?
4. How can participation in pro bono be improved?

In answer to the first question, the Committee proposed the following operative definition: “pro bono means providing legal advice or legal services to individuals of limited financial means without expectation of a fee or reward.”

The Committee also concluded that the Law Society should not require lawyers to perform a minimum amount of annual pro bono legal service, but should instead encourage lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to people of limited means.

In answer to questions 3 and 4, the Committee recommended further analyses as to whether the current method and level of Law Society funding of organized pro bono legal services are appropriate, and how the Law Society ought to encourage lawyers to provide pro bono legal services-- particularly through regional Justice Access Centres operated by the provincial government.

The Committee's Report was likely finalized prior to the November 26 announcement of the closure of the Salvation Army Pro Bono Program, and will be presented to the full Benchers table on Friday, December 7. It can be read here.