Bar Pro Bono Unit

Analysis

Bar Pro Bono Unit is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1996, 30 years ago. Its declared purposes cover other charitable purposes, which this site groups under other charitable purposes. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03237309). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending June 2025, Bar Pro Bono Unit reported income of £1.2m and spending of £1.1m, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £865k to £1.2m (+37%), an average of +8.2% a year. Over the whole period it spent 91% of the income it received.

Among 1,463 England and Wales charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Bar Pro Bono Unit sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Ashley House Hostel (£1.1m), Birth Companions (£1.2m) and Age UK Bexley (£1.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 99% and investments 1.2%. Charitable activities took 83% of spending and raising funds 12%. Reserves of £639k would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 23 people.