Pro Bono Week is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of legal professionals who give their time and expertise to support individuals and communities who may otherwise face barriers to accessing justice. It also highlights the importance of collaboration, sharing knowledge and making legal advice and support more accessible to those who need it.
At TV Edwards, our Family Department is involved in a range of pro bono initiatives across the local family justice system and wider community. From helping to improve family justice services and promoting greater understanding of neurodiversity to providing direct support to women affected by domestic abuse, our work takes many forms, but is united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference.
Improving the family justice system
Members of our Family Department play an active role in the East London Family Justice Board, which works to improve local family justice services and the experience of those involved in family proceedings.
Consultant Solicitor Advocate Deborah Piccos co-chairs the Board and leads its accessibility, governance, e-bundles and website groups. Associate Solicitor, Maria Pilavaki leads the post-proceedings group, while other members of the team contribute to additional areas of its work.
Through these roles, our team works alongside other professionals across the family justice system, sharing knowledge and experience and helping to identify practical improvements. This collaborative approach supports the development of more effective, accessible services and improves the experience of court users who use the East London Family Court.
Deborah has also delivered training for London lawyers on changes relating to deprivation of liberty cases involving teenagers, sharing specialist knowledge and supporting practitioners working in this area of family law.
Promoting neurodiversity awareness
An accessible and fair justice system must recognise that people experience and engage with legal processes in different ways. For neurodivergent individuals, aspects of court proceedings, communication and the legal process can present particular challenges. Improving awareness and understanding among legal professionals and other practitioners is therefore essential.
Alia Lewis, Head and Partner of Family Children Law, has undertaken significant pro bono work delivering training on neurodiversity. Together with Deborah Piccos, she has delivered sessions to the national Local Family Justice Board and family magistrates across the country, helping professionals better understand the experiences and needs of neurodivergent individuals.
Through this training, our team helps build awareness, share specialist expertise and encourage more informed and inclusive approaches to working with individuals and families.
Supporting women affected by domestic abuse
Our Family Department contributes to the work of Tower Hamlets Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) through its partnership with the Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop at the Nari Centre in Tower Hamlets.
Every Monday, members of our team, which include solicitor Fateha Ahmed, provide free legal advice as part of this service, which offers vital support to women who are experiencing, or have previously experienced, domestic abuse. The One Stop Shop brings together a range of specialist organisations in one accessible setting, enabling women to seek advice and support in a safe and supportive environment.
Our advice focuses primarily on domestic abuse and the legal protections available to women, including non-molestation orders and occupation orders. We help women understand their legal options, the purpose of these orders and how they may help protect them from further abuse or harassment. Where appropriate, we also provide initial advice on other family law matters, helping women identify wider legal issues and understand the options available to them.
We recognise that taking legal action can be daunting, particularly for someone already facing significant emotional, practical and financial difficulties. Our role is therefore not simply to explain the law, but to help women understand their rights, consider the steps they may wish to take and make informed decisions about their safety and future.
An important part of the One Stop Shop is the collaborative approach between the organisations involved. Legal advice is often just one part of the support a woman may need when dealing with domestic abuse. By working alongside other specialist services at the Nari Centre, we can help women access wider practical and emotional support, ensuring they are not left to navigate difficult circumstances alone.
For many women, accessing early legal advice can be an important first step towards understanding their rights, recognising the protections available to them and taking steps towards greater safety and security. We are proud to contribute to this service and to work alongside the organisations supporting women in our local community.
Making a difference through pro bono work
Pro bono work is about more than providing free legal advice. It is about using professional skills, knowledge and experience to support people who may otherwise struggle to access the help they need.
The work of our Family Department reflects this in different ways: contributing to improvements across the family justice system, helping professionals better understand the needs of neurodivergent individuals and providing direct legal support to women affected by domestic abuse.
We are proud of the contribution our colleagues make and grateful to the organisations and professionals we work alongside. Through these partnerships, we remain committed to promoting access to justice, supporting vulnerable individuals and helping to build a more accessible and inclusive family justice system.
How we can help
Our Family Department advises on a wide range of family law matters, including divorce and separation, children matters and issues involving domestic abuse.
If you need legal advice or would like to find out more about how we can help, please contact our team on Email: enquiries@tvedwards.com or Telephone: 020 3440 8000
