Multi-disciplinary teams across NUS impressed judges at the second Linklaters Social Impact Competition, with their innovative proposals to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. Supported by law firm Linklaters Singapore, the contest addresses social and sustainability challenges. Judges commended the NUS students for their ingenious ideas, the quality of their videos and the level of research, with the champion pulling ahead with a three-pronged approach targeting the economic, cultural and infrastructural aspects of the issue.

Over the past year, students have contributed to a wide range of pro bono initiatives, including assisting with Criminal Legal Aid Scheme cases, conducting legal awareness talks for migrant workers and sexual assault survivors and organising mentorship programmes for at-risk youth. Beyond Singapore, their efforts involved delivering educational talks to underprivileged children in Bangkok’s Klong Toey slums on their legal rights and the consequences of crimes such as human trafficking and domestic violence.

While the recognition of the pro bono efforts of NUS Law students is at the heart of every Pro Bono Awards ceremony, the students can contribute in their desired ways due to the steadfast financial support of donors. We speak to the representatives of the NUS Law Class of 1992 Pro Bono Grant, the NUS Law Class of 2017 Pro Bono Grant and the RHTLaw Asia Subhas Anandan Pro Bono Grant to find out how pro bono work has a positive impact both on beneficiaries and prospective lawyers, and how they hope their Grants will leave a positive legacy.

The Centre for Pro Bono & Clinical Legal Education congratulates all students and mentors who embody the heart and spirit of pro bono and for their commitment towards pro bono projects that serve the larger community in Singapore and beyond.

Organised by NUS Law’s Centre for Pro Bono and Clinical Legal Education and supported by law firm Linklaters Singapore, the Linklaters Social Impact Competition encourages a multidisciplinary approach to addressing social and sustainability issues. The inaugural run of this competition offers a chance for NUS students who are passionate about sustainability to develop a workable solution to a pressing eco-social challenge.

Jointly organised by the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) Pro Bono Chapter and the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership (CNPL), the 2023 Legal Clinic for Charities took place on 13th May at the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).

The Pro Bono Group’s Project Law Help (PLH) students conducted an in-person presentation on the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) on 11 March, sharing their yearlong project, “A Little Handbook”, with their beneficiaries – nine youth-run, non-profit organisations. This area of law was selected by the beneficiaries because it is extremely relevant to their day-to-day administration and operations.

The NUS Pro Bono Group (PBG) recently organised its annual flagship event—the NUS Pro Bono Week (PBW). PBW aims to increase recognition of the legal needs of various segments in society among NUS Law students and to inspire the student body to be more involved in volunteering with the various pro bono groups in the community.

The Centre for Pro Bono & Clinical Legal Education celebrated the spirit of community at the 7th NUS Law Pro Bono Awards, by recognising outstanding student leadership in pro bono projects, as well as awarding financial grants towards student-led pro bono work.

From 4 to 8 January 2023, a team of 18 NUS Law students from the NUS Pro Bono Group (PBG) embarked on a five-day trip to Bangkok for Project Thai-ed With Love. The project was started in 2015, and its latest iteration was organised in collaboration with students from the Thammasat University Pro Bono Society (TU PBS).

On 23 March 2022 the 6th NUS Law Pro Bono Awards Ceremony was held at the Wee Chong Jin Moot Court, and live-streamed over Zoom. At this year’s Awards Ceremony, we recognised the outstanding pro bono contributions of NUS Law students and faculty.

As part of the NUS Pro Bono Group's projects, Building of Bridges (BOB) and Law & You (L&Y), two groups of law students collaborated with the Ministry of Manpower Foreign Manpower Management Division (FMMD) to understand the Ministry's work in managing and protecting migrant workers and foreign domestic workers in Singapore.