Pro bono work is the provision of legal services voluntarily and without charge. Pro bono services are professional services rendered "for the public good", and this accordingly mandates that legal services must be provided at the same level of diligence and care as paid work.

Law is a privileged profession, one that assists in upholding and promoting justice, morality and the rule of law. Pro bono work in legal practice equates with greater access to justice and upholds the rule of law. NUS Law students engaged in pro bono work will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the demands of upholding the moral and ethical standards of the legal profession, whilst helping needy members of the community.

Engaging in pro bono work provides an opportunity to gain "real world" experience - to see firsthand the important role law plays in the life of an individual. It is an opportunity for law students to see how the law plays out in the real world, beyond the textbooks and case reports. Pro bono work also provides an opportunity for lawyers involved in corporate practice or high-end litigation practice to assist needy members of the community and show the students that they supervise that lawyers from all areas of practice can remain community lawyers.