The Ministry of Justice officials visited the Pro Bono Network on 22 December 2015. The team consisted of Tahir Hırslı, Deputy of Strategic Development Division; Jale Yılmaz, Head of Department and Zuhal Tokar Güneş, judge. The purpose of the visit was to see on site the organization of the Pro Bono Network as the Division’s Judicial Reforms Strategy Document of 2015 envisions the development of pro bono as a goal to further access to justice. The topics covered in the visit included successes and challenges of the Network; good international practices regarding pro bono service provision and motivation for lawyers to engage in pro bono.

The meeting was attended by Melis Coşan Baban, Burcu Döner and Esra Oldur Öztürk on behalf Turkish Economy Bank’s Legal Department; Zeliha Deniz Günay, Ufuk Yalçın and Mustafa Fırat Akkan on behalf of Hergüner Bilgen Özeke Law firm; Hakan Yazıcı from Yazıcı Legal Law Office and Özgür Kahale as the European Pro Bono Director of DLA Piper. They shared their suggestions on how to spread pro bono services in Turkey including legal amendments to the Code of Attorneys.

We are honoured by the visit of the Ministry of Justice, as it proves the value of our work on pro bono over many years.