Bindmans has this week set a new precedent in the legal industry by announcing the launch of our 10% Bindmans Social Justice Fund. The fund will allocate 10% of our business client fees to support individuals in gaining access to justice.

This marks an industry first and serves the joint purpose of supporting individuals in having access to the legal services they need, while helping our corporate clients to improve their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores, enhancing their impact across the value chain through socially responsible legal services.

At Bindmans, we have a proud record in human rights and social justice and we are dedicated to providing legal services to those who need it most. The Bindmans Social Justice Fund continues the legacy of our founder, Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, one of the leading human rights lawyers in the UK. The Fund will bridge funding gaps for those in need and will lead by example in the legal industry.

The Bindmans Social Justice Fund forms a key pillar of our new Corporate and Commercial team, which is headed up by Partner Gabrielle Plews who created the concept and will spearhead the launch of this industry-first product.

Gabrielle comments:

The 10% Social Justice Fund is a unique concept that allows our business clients to directly impact and positively increase access to social justice while simultaneously achieving their ESG goals. When I envisaged this concept, it was with Bindmans in mind.  Only a law firm with their vision and ethos could deliver this kind of change to the business world and legal services market. It’s an inspiring achievement and a great journey ahead for our Corporate and Commercial team.

In its debut year, we will partner with two registered charities dedicated to social justice. We will donate 100% of the Social Justice Fund, without deduction, to supporting the work these charities do in providing access to legal services for people in need.

Our partner charities, which will each receive 50% of year one funds from the Bindmans Social Justice Fund, are:

• The Access to Justice Foundation, a Law Society accredited organisation that supports the delivery of free legal advice to the people, places and communities most in need.
• Just4Kids Law which provides legal advice and representation to children in the criminal justice system.