Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is one of 14 law firms leading a project that has picked up the “Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership” award at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2022.

The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (“APBI”), launched in March 2022, offers pro bono legal representation to Afghan refugees needing legal advice and support following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Led by Refugee Legal Support and Safe Passage International, the APBI brings together lawyers from 14 international law firms to provide providing pro bono legal advice and representation for people applying to be reunited with their family in the UK and accessing the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, as well as providing information on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. The APBI also dedicates significant resources on engaging with the affected UK communities, including disseminating legal and practical information to those affected in their preferred language.

Since launch, 98 lawyers from the 14 participating firms have dedicated over 3,250 hours providing advice and assistance to vulnerable Afghan nationals seeking resettlement in the UK. This includes legal advice and representation to 70 Afghan nationals, and initial advice and assistance to approximately 180 Afghan nationals.

The APBI won the “Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership” category at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2022, which celebrates the best legal pro bono activities undertaken by organisations and individuals, and the positive impact they have had on those helped.

For more information on the APBI, see here.