What is the network? 

ELF works with a nationwide network of barristers, solicitors, and technical experts who volunteer their time to help grassroots communities access free legal and specialist support to address environmental issues in their local area.  

Together, the network helps communities respond to a wide range of issues, from sewage pollution in rivers and contaminated land affecting the health of local residents to environmentally harmful development threatening protected species and habitats.

Why join? 

Members join the ELF Professional Pro Bono Network for a range of reasons. Some are looking to develop professionally and gain access to new casework opportunities. Others have commitments around delivering pro bono support and are looking for meaningful environmental cases to engage with. Many simply value ELF’s work and want to support access to environmental justice while staying connected to developments in the sector. 

In practice, ELF members receive: 

• Invitations to ELF events, webinars, and network gatherings
• Regular updates and opportunities through ELF’s newsletters
• Access to meaningful environmental casework and community-led issues 
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading environmental lawyers and experts 
• Opportunities to contribute to strategic litigation, public legal education, and policy development  

How does it work? 

Once signed up, professional pro bono members are added to ELF’s membership database and receive regular updates on our work and opportunities to engage. 

Community enquiries that come through ELF’s helpline are assessed by our in-house legal team. Where specialist input is needed, cases are referred to members of the network. Members have the right to turn down a request for pro bono support, and the case will be shared with other network members. 

Members support communities in a range of ways, from initial legal advice and planning support to litigation, technical input, training, and public legal education. 

While membership does not guarantee access to casework, in practice most members have opportunities to engage in community-based environmental cases. 

Membership options 

• Individual Membership — £100/year or £10/month
  For individual barristers, solicitor and technical experts  

• Law Firm / Chambers Membership — £500/year or £50/month
  For firms and chambers who would like up to five team members to engage with ELF’s network, events, and pro bono casework opportunities.  

• Gold Membership — £1,750/year
  For firms and chambers who would like unlimited team access to ELF’s network, events, and pro bono casework opportunities. If you’d like to join as a Gold member please contact: info17@elflaw.org