TrustLaw Connect Provides Free Legal Assistance to Social Enterprises
Did you know that your organisation can receive free legal assistance from about 400 law firms in Hong Kong, China and other 140 countries around the world? SEBC has partnered with Thomson Reuters Foundation to provide you with fast-track access to TrustLaw, an innovative programme that links social enterprises with top lawyers to provide their expertise for free. Applying and using the service is entirely free of charge.
How to apply
To access this pro bono support, you will need to sign up to their free service and apply online:
Examples of the types of projects TrustLaw Connect can help with:
Protecting intellectual property matters and trademark
- Award winning social enterprise Friends International working with law firms Tilleke Gibbins International, LGP Asia, Leks and Co, and Clayton Utz to have their intellectual property protected in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Australia respectively, after becoming aware of attempts to copy some of their projects.
Registering your organisation and/or deciding which legal structure to adopt
- Torys, one of Canada’s leading law firms, advising Swiss humanitarian aid agency Medair on registering in Canada, a move which Medair expects would provide support for their work in Haiti and throughout the world
Drafting or reviewing partnership agreements, contracts, templates, etc.
- Open Cinema, a UK network of participatory film clubs for homeless or vulnerable people, received assistance in preparing a risk assessment template which could be applied to new venues in a range of social sector environments, as well as a health and safety policy for their staff
Employment/HR issues or contract negotiations with staff, volunteers, customers, or partners
- Future First is a social business working to revolutionise careers advice across the UK through the creation of alumni networks, bringing former students back to their old schools to inspire and advise current pupils. Jones Day assisting them with employment agreements for their work shadowing programme volunteers
Legal research comparing legislation across multiple countries to be used in reports, advocacy, etc.
- 20 of Europe’s top law firms undertook research into legal restrictions on microcredit in each of the 27 EU member states. Adie, the largest supporter of micro-finance in Western Europe, used the findings to influence EU and member state policy.
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