Pro Bono
Access to justice for Chinese-speaking communities in the UK — particularly those exposed to language barriers, immigration vulnerability, and unregulated advisers.
At Duan & Duan UK LLP, our pro bono practice is focused on access to justice for Chinese-speaking communities in the UK — particularly those exposed to language barriers, immigration vulnerability, and the unregulated advisers and intermediaries who often take advantage of both. We believe that specialist, regulated, bilingual legal advice should not be out of reach for people who cannot afford the going rate for it.
Our Partner and Barrister Jackson Ng MCIArb is recognised on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, published under the patronage of the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, for his sustained commitment to providing pro bono legal assistance.
Our Focus
In our pro bono practice we concentrate on four areas where our bilingual and cross-border expertise is most needed:
- Immigration assistance for vulnerable individuals — including victims of domestic abuse whose immigration status depends on a partner, students whose advisers have failed them, and others at risk of losing lawful residence in the UK.
- Community legal education — free clinics, bilingual plain-language guides, and in-person information sessions for Chinese-speaking audiences, with a particular focus on high-risk areas such as the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) account freezing regime, unregulated "immigration adviser" scams, and investment-migration schemes that target newcomer families.
- Cases of wider significance — where a single case is capable of shaping the law for many, we are willing to take on matters that raise important legal or systemic issues affecting our community.
- Support for grassroots community organisations — we provide legal advice and speaker support to community groups, Chinese-language associations, and charities whose beneficiaries would otherwise fall outside the reach of regulated legal services.
How to apply
If you or someone you know may need free legal assistance, please email office@duanduanuk.com with a short description of your situation. We assess each enquiry on its merits. Where we are unable to assist, we will do our best to refer you to an organisation that can.
Please note that we receive a significant number of pro bono requests. We try to respond to every enquiry, but regret that we may not always be able to reply individually — including to enquiries we are ultimately unable to take on.
Need help with Pro Bono?
Contact our team for a confidential discussion about your matter.
Get in Touch
Other Practice Areas
- Dispute Resolution
- Criminal Defence
- Immigration
- Commercial
- Employment
- Reputation Management & Defamation
- Family & Divorce
- Children's Law Advice
- Cohabitation & Unmarried Families
- Commercial Contracts
- Consumer Contracts
- Corporate Immigration
- Corporate Reputation
- Data Protection & Compliance
- Defamation, Harassment & Blackmail
- Divorce & Financial Settlement
- Employment Contracts & Agreements
- Contracts, Policies & Benefits
- Employment Disputes & Litigation
- Food Safety & Hygiene Prosecutions
- Hires, Redundancies & Terminations
- Immigration Appeals & Judicial Review
- Joint Ventures & Collaborations
- Online Reputation Management
- Personal Immigration
- Proceeds of Crime
- Settlement Agreements
- Share Purchase Agreements
- Shareholders' Agreements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pro bono legal work?
Pro bono (short for pro bono publico, meaning for the public good) refers to legal services provided free of charge to individuals and organisations who cannot afford legal representation. At Duan & Duan, we are committed to providing pro bono assistance as part of our responsibility to the community.
Who qualifies for pro bono legal assistance from Duan & Duan?
We consider pro bono requests on a case-by-case basis. Generally, we look at whether the applicant cannot afford legal representation, whether Legal Aid is unavailable for their matter, and whether the case raises important legal issues or involves particular vulnerability. Priority is given to members of the Chinese community in the UK.
What types of cases does Duan & Duan take on a pro bono basis?
Our pro bono work spans several areas including immigration matters for vulnerable individuals, community legal advice clinics, assistance for victims of domestic abuse, housing disputes for tenants at risk of homelessness, and advice for charitable organisations serving the Chinese community.
How do I apply for pro bono legal help?
Email office@duanduanuk.com with a short description of your situation. We assess each enquiry on its merits. Where we are unable to assist, we will do our best to refer you to an organisation that can, including Citizens Advice or specialist charities. Please note that due to the volume of pro bono requests we receive, we may not always be able to reply to every enquiry individually — including those we are unable to take on.
Does Duan & Duan work with any pro bono organisations?
Yes. We work with a number of charities, community associations, and legal organisations to deliver pro bono services. We also participate in community legal education events and provide free legal information sessions, particularly for the Chinese community in London.