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Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is at the heart of Hardwicke’s values. We are committed to our community and wider society taking part in a range of initiatives that benefit others.

Pro Bono

The Bar Pro Bono Unit is a charity which helps to find pro bono (free) legal assistance from volunteer barristers for those who cannot afford to pay.At Hardwicke, we recognise the important role the Bar Pro Bono Unit (BPBU) plays within the Bar community and have developed ways to foster our relationship with the BPBU and support the fantastic work it is doing.Most recently, we have piloted an exchange programme whereby members of the Hardwicke practice team and BPBU staff have spent time on day secondments at each other's offices. This has been a valuable exercise for our team in gaining an insight into the kind of work the BPBU carries out and for those at the BPBU to gain exposure to working in a chambers environment.

Testimonial by Annabelle Lock, Practice Manager in the Property & Private Client Division at Hardwicke:

"I found my placement at the Bar Pro Bono Unit extremely interesting and it gave me a great insight into the workings of a legal charity. It was lovely to meet such an approachable team who place a strong emphasis on client care, something we try to mirror in chambers. I learnt why strong relationships with chambers are paramount for the Pro Bono process to work, enabling staff to place cases more quickly, making the process more efficient. I enjoyed learning about the numerous success stories, which make their job worthwhile, and gained a clearer understanding of the work the BPBU carries out. I hope we can continue to find ways to work together and strengthen our relationship in the future."

Charitable Giving

Hardwicke gives to a wide range of organisations through individual donations and charitable activities. We help charities raise money by playing a part in a variety of activities such as walks across London, dragon boat races, marathons and bike riding contests. We also hold quiz and casino nights which raise money for people in need, and some of our barristers donate their fees for giving talks to a charity of their choice.

Recent examples include:

• Donating our furniture to The Nelson Trust
• Contributing to Kennedys' Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal
• A donation to The Big Issue following John Bird’s participation in our Annual Social Housing Conference
• Taking part in the London Legal Walk
• A donation to the Born Free Foundation on behalf of the winning team in our annual Property & Private Client Quiz Night
• A Christmas donation to Crisis at Christmas
• A Bake Sale for Shelter

Hardwicke donates furniture to The Nelson Trust

As a result of Hardwicke's major refurbishment, the existing library and reception furniture will no longer be required, and we are pleased to have found a new home for it at The Nelson Trust, one of the UK’s longest established drug and alcohol abstinence-based treatment providers. The Trust works with some of the most complex substance misusers and helps hundreds of people overcome their addiction and build a life of independence.  

Hardwicke’s library contained a number of high quality chairs and desks, and our reception room for clients had leather sofas and glass coffee tables, which have now been donated to The Nelson Trust.  We are delighted that this furniture will be put to good use by the Trust, and to have found a green solution for recycling it at the same time.

Kennedys' Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal

Barristers and staff at Hardwicke were delighted to contribute to Kennedys' Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. Operation Christmas Child is the world's largest children's Christmas project, for which shoeboxes are filled with gifts and sent to children in some of the world's toughest areas.

The boxes contributed by Hardwicke and Kennedys were sent to Swaziland, which has the highest prevalence of HIV than any other country in the world - 70% of its population live below the poverty line. Operation Christmas Child this year filmed and broadcast the shoebox distribution live, bringing the initiative even closer to those who volunteered and donated.

It was a great initiative, and we are pleased that our 32 boxes were added to Kennedys' impressive collection of over 200 to help the children of Swaziland.

 

Hardwicke's team for the London Legal Walk 2011

Education

The team at Hardwicke recognises the importance of education. Our barristers take part in a number of learning programmes which provide training to students. We also provide work experience opportunities to young people enabling them to find out more about life as a barrister and working in a barristers’ chambers.

Recent examples include:

• Offering mini-pupillage to a student in association with Blind in Business. To read about his experiences at Hardwicke please click here
• Hosting and speaking at the Inner Temple Schools Project (part of the Pathways to Law a national programme that supports high-achieving state school students into leading Russell Group universities and subsequently in to the legal professions)
• Participating in Eversheds Unlocked, a programme aimed at students who are the first family members to go to university, are studying at state schools and have a genuine enthusiasm for the legal profession
• Taking part in the Action For Children Employability Programme
• Helping to create space and thinking time for professionals at our local school, St. Alban's C of E Primary School

Testimonials

We were delighted to have Hardwicke’s support for the valuable initiative, Eversheds Unlocked.  Boyd Morwood helped the students to realise that people from backgrounds similar to their own really can have a successful career in the law.

Clare Rowe, Diversity & CR Manager, Eversheds LLP

It means so much to have the space.

Mary Thorne, St Alban's C of E Primary School

Environmental Initatives

Hardwicke established its own dedicated Green Team in July 2011. We recognise that businesses have a responsibility to the environment and are striving to limit our use of new materials and recycle the old wherever possible. To do this, the team ensures that all paper, card, plastics, aluminium, batteries; computer parts and CDs are fully recycled. Folders are re-used and we make every effort to limit the amount of paper that is printed. Staff and members alike are consistently encouraged to turn off their lights and computers as much as possible. The team are responsible for ensuring that all this happens smoothly; holding monthly meetings and attending independent recycling seminars so that Hardwicke can be as Green as possible.

Please click here to see our recycling progress.

If you have any queries, please contact Melissa Wood.

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