In the first year the Unit was awarded the Silver Medal at The Lawyer/HIFAL Awards and by 1998 the Unit's coverage reached 50 areas of law. By the year 2000 the number of panel members exceeded 1000 and the Bar in the Community scheme was established.

2004 saw the Unit relocate to bespoke premises at High Holborn, with the Free Representation Unit (FRU) alongside. The same year the Unit hosted the first "Early Bird" plenary seminar on pro bono work held at the Bar Conference and hosted by the Vice Chairman of the Bar.

Today the number of panel members exceeds 2000 with over 250 QCs. With a staff of five and a dedicated management committee the Unit hosts a number of events and is involved in collaborative projects promoting pro bono projects and extending access to pro bono assistance.

Click Here to read Lord Goldsmith QC's article from Times Online on "How to . . . do pro bono work".