Pro bono.

Commercial litigation law firms, associations and judges across the U.K. have joined forces to launch a new landmark funding initiative for pro bono work in the country.

The U.K.'s first services provider directory for litigation lawyers is being spearheaded by over 100 commercial litigation law firms, the Commercial Bar association, the GC100 and commercial court judges, in the new initiative.

The Commercial Litigators' Forum's (CLF) service provider directory – which will be formally launched at a 125-year-anniversary event for the Commercial Court on March 26 – provides information on service providers in the litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution space, and is the first directory of its kind.

The initiative's revenue will fund the new National Pro Bono Centre and frontline advice agencies which provide assistance to those unable to afford legal services.

Judge of the Commercial Court and trustee of the National Pro Bono Centre, Mr Justice Robin Knowles, said in a statement: "[This initiative] is a show of leadership to which I pay tribute. This active, practical, support for the legal system as a whole, and specifically for access to justice, is a welcome part of the celebrations of 125 years of our Commercial Court."

Head of commercial dispute resolution for Europe at Arnold & Porter and chair of the CLF, Hilton Mervis added: "The launch of the 2020 Directory of Service Providers is a game-changer as for the first time service providers to the legal sector will be sponsoring a hugely useful Directory of Service Providers to the litigation community.

"The CLF member firms, the GC100 and COMBAR are determined to encourage service providers (ie their customers) to join us in making clear their commitment to access to justice/the new National Pro Bono Centre. It is a win-win for the sponsors and charity."

Paul Hodkinson, editor-in-chief of Legal Week, is a key member of the committee to form the initiative and organise the event.