Scoping grant – New Zealand Pro Bono Civil Appeals Clearing House
The project aims to investigate the need for a clearing house providing pro bono legal assistance on civil appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal.
About the project
All self-represented litigants who come before the Court of Appeal in civil matters should have the same opportunity to receive pro bono legal assistance to ensure their interests are properly advanced and access to civil justice can be realised. While some do not want to be represented, many would be, if given the chance.
Having considered organisations and schemes in other commonwealth jurisdictions which successfully provide similar support, a clearing house, which provides self-represented litigants with counsel to act on a pro bono basis in certain civil appeals in the Court of Appeal, might be able to provide this opportunity.
This project seeks to investigate whether there is a need for a clearing house to provide pro bono legal assistance on civil appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal; and if so, what the scope of the clearing house might be.
Grant amount
$10,000 for work in 2025
About the researcher
Harry Burbidge is a former Judge’s Clerk of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. He will be starting as a Junior Barrister to Shortland Chambers in February 2025. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2024. He has a strong and long-standing commitment to access to justice and access to the legal profession.
Contact
Harry Burbidge, Project lead