About the Pro Bono Club
The Pro Bono Club (PBC) at Presidency University is a dynamic student-led initiative aligned with the Department of Justice’s Nyaya Bandhu Programme, launched in 2017 to connect advocates with communities in need of legal assistance. Established at the Presidency School of Law in 2022, the Pro Bono Club seeks to cultivate a culture of service and social responsibility among budding legal professionals by engaging them in meaningful legal assistance to diverse communities in need. Its core aim is to bridge the gap between legal rights and access to justice through student-led initiatives.
The Club’s initiatives are aimed at fostering a lifelong commitment to social responsibility. Since its inception nearly three years ago, our students, referred to as Pro Bono Associates, have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and organisational abilities through the successful execution of numerous outreach programmes and events. These include the organisation of symposiums, rural awareness campaigns, jail visits, conclaves, legal discussions, among others.
By merging academia with meaningful community engagement, the Pro Bono Club aims to shape the country’s future lawyers into compassionate advocates and active contributors to an equitable society.
Introduction to the Conclave
Building upon the success of the inaugural Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave organised on 14 th Nov 2025, which examined “Pro Bono as Scholarship in Action: The Role of Universities in Access to Justice and Social Change”, the Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave 2.0 seeks to advance the conversation by exploring the future trajectory of pro bono lawyering in India. While the first edition underscored the role of universities in cultivating a culture of service and public engagement, the second edition expands the dialogue to examine how pro bono lawyering can be institutionalised through collaboration among the judiciary, legal profession, law schools, legal aid institutions, civil society organisations, policymakers, and corporate legal departments.
Under the theme “The Future of Pro Bono Lawyering in India: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact”, the Conclave will provide a national platform for deliberating on emerging challenges, innovative practices, and collaborative strategies that can strengthen access to justice. The discussions will explore how technology, interdisciplinary partnerships, legal education, and community engagement can collectively transform pro bono lawyering into a sustainable and impactful component of India’s justice delivery system.
Organised by the Pro Bono Club, Presidency School of Law, Presidency University, the Conclave will bring together judges, legal practitioners, law firms, representatives of Legal Services Authorities, academicians, researchers, members of Pro Bono Clubs and Legal Aid Cells, civil society organisations, and law students from across the country. Through keynote addresses, thematic panel discussions, practitioner-led sessions, and collaborative deliberations, participants will exchange experiences, share best practices, identify institutional challenges, and develop practical recommendations for strengthening the culture of pro bono lawyering in India.
Rationale
The legal profession has long been guided by the ideals of justice, equality, and service to society. Central to these ideals is pro bono lawyering - the voluntary provision of legal services in the public interest to individuals and communities who are unable to access justice due to social, economic, or other barriers. In an increasingly complex legal landscape, pro bono lawyering has evolved beyond an ethical aspiration into an essential pillar of an inclusive and responsive justice system, complementing legal aid mechanisms and strengthening the rule of law.
More than an academic gathering, the Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave 2.0 aspires to serve as a catalyst for building a robust pro bono ecosystem founded on innovation, inclusivity, professional responsibility, and meaningful social impact. By fostering dialogue across diverse stakeholders, the Conclave seeks to inspire long-term collaborations and reaffirm the legal profession’s collective commitment to ensuring that access to justice remains a lived reality for all.
Objectives of the Conclave
- To provide a national platform for deliberating on emerging challenges, innovative practices, and collaborative strategies that strengthen access to justice.
- To examine how pro bono lawyering can be institutionalised through collaboration among the judiciary, the legal profession, law schools, legal aid institutions, civil society organisations, policymakers, and corporate legal departments.
- To explore how technology, interdisciplinary partnerships, legal education, and community engagement can transform pro bono lawyering into a sustainable and impactful component of India’s justice delivery system.
- To enable participating teams to showcase their pro bono work and to exchange experiences, best practices, and institutional learnings.
- To develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the culture of pro bono lawyering in India.
- To foster long-term collaborations among law schools, Pro Bono Clubs, Legal Aid Cells, and other stakeholders committed to access to justice.
Format of the Conclave
The Conclave will be constituted of three parts:
Part 1 - Inauguration and Expert Engagement.
Part 2 - Student Team Presentations.
- Presentations by participating Pro Bono /Legal Aid Teams showcasing their work over the last three years.
- Expert deliberations on impact, sustainability, innovation, and outreach.
Part 3 - Closing Ceremony, Awards (Cash Prize) and Recognition.
Note: The presentations ought to be based on a Summary Report to be submitted by the participating teams before the Conclave.
Eligibility
The Conclave is open to Pro Bono Associates, members of Pro Bono Clubs, Pro Bono Cells, and Legal Aid Cells/Legal Aid Clinics of recognised law universities and colleges across India. Participation is open to students enrolled in Three-year LL.B., Five-year Integrated LL.B., and LL.M. programmes who are actively involved in initiatives relating to pro bono legal services, legal aid, legal literacy, community engagement, public interest advocacy, and social justice.
Participation Guidelines
- Open to all recognised law schools and universities having Pro Bono Clubs/Cells and/or Legal Aid Clubs/Cells (Legal Aid Clinics).
- Teams must comprise a maximum of 3 members (it can be 3 students, or 2 students accompanied by 1 Faculty Member)
- Registration Fee for the Team: Rs. 1,500.
- Dr. Saroj Sharma, Dean, Presidency School of Law
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Registrations Open |
25 August 2026 |
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Last Date for Registration |
20 September 2026 |
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Submission of Summary Report by Participating Teams |
11 October 2026 |
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Date of the Event |
23 October 2026 |
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Award |
Recognition |
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Winning Team |
Rs 18,000 |
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First Runner-Up Team |
Rs 14,000 |
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Second Runner-Up Team |
Rs 10,000 |
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All Participating Teams |
Certificate of Participation |
Submission and Formatting Guidelines for Summary Report
All participating teams are required to submit a Summary Report of their Pro Bono Cell’s activities for the past Three Years. On the basis of the report, teams will be expected to make presentations. The report ought to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Title Page - Name of the Institution, Name of the Pro Bono Cell, Names of Team Members, Contact Details.
- Word Limit - The report must be between 2,000-3000 words (excluding references, annexures, and photographs).
- Introduction - Brief overview of the Cell/Committee, its objectives, and vision.
- Nature of Activities Undertaken - Description of major pro bono initiatives undertaken during the last three academic years.
- Impact and Outcomes - Achievements, impact, beneficiaries, noteworthy contributions, and partnerships, if any.
- Innovation and Best Practices - Any innovative approaches or methods adopted.
- Policy Recommendation - Policy recommendation for enhancing pro bono lawyering culture in India.
- Supporting Evidence - Geotagged photographs (included in annexures).
- Conclusion - Brief summary of future plans.
Formatting Requirements
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12 pt for body text, 14 pt bold for headings
- Line Spacing: 1.5
- Alignment: Justified
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- File Format: PDF only
- File Name: InstitutionName_SummaryReport
Citation Style
- References must follow Bluebook citation style.
- A References section must be included at the end, listing all cited sources.
Presentation Format
- Each participating team will be allotted a total of 10 minutes to present their Pro Bono initiatives, followed by a Q&A with the Experts.
- Participants are encouraged to prepare concise and impactful presentations, supported by relevant visuals or documentation, to effectively convey their contributions.
- Time limits will be strictly enforced to ensure equal opportunity for all teams. Participants are encouraged to explore innovative and creative methods in their presentation.
- In the event that a team comprises both students and a faculty member, only the student members of the team shall be permitted to make the presentation, in order to ensure parity and uniformity among all participating teams.
Judging Criteria
The presentations will be evaluated by the Expert(s) on the basis of the following parameters:
- Relevance and Objectives - Clarity of the initiative’s purpose and its alignment with the principles of pro bono lawyering, legal aid, and access to justice.
- Scope and Activities - Diversity, innovation, quality, and effectiveness of the activities undertaken.
- Impact and Outcomes - Tangible results achieved, outreach, community engagement, and measurable social impact.
- Sustainability and Continuity - Potential for long-term impact, institutionalisation, and continued community engagement.
- Policy Recommendations and Future Roadmap - Practical, innovative, and evidence-based recommendations for strengthening pro bono lawyering, legal aid, access to justice, or institutional practices at the university, community, or policy level.
- Presentation and Communication - Clarity, coherence, organisation, and effectiveness of the presentation within the allotted time.
Contact Details
Student Coordinators
Ms. Pranjal Taparia
+91 7501979233
Ms. Rikynti Chyrmang
+91 6009870467
For Queries: pusolpbc@gmail.com
Ms. Pranjal Taparia
+91 7501979233
Ms. Rikynti Chyrmang
+91 6009870467
For Queries: pusolpbc@gmail.com
+91 9022092222
admission@presidencyuniversity.in
Rajanukunte, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka, Pin: 560119, India
+91 9022092222