Today marks the end of the 23rd annual Pro Bono Week. This year’s theme is ‘the power of pro bono’, which is nowhere more apparent than our flagship project: the Howard League IPP Hotline.

This project sits alongside a wide spectrum of pro bono work at the firm, from volunteering at the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice & Law Centre to casework for individuals. The firm is a member of the UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono, which is a profession-led initiative for law firms in the UK with a strong institutional commitment to pro bono and access to justice.

An important hotline

Since early October, our volunteers have been advising people (in prison and in the community) serving sentences for Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) (or Detention for Public Protection for under 18s (DPP)) on their new rights under the landmark Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.

The Howard League is the world’s oldest penal reform charity and has been a long-time advocate for IPP prisoners.

Working with the charity, which has trained over 20 volunteers, the Hotline has already advised more than 70 callers.

IPP sentences have been described by one former Supreme Court justice as the “greatest single stain on our criminal justice system”.

Under the Act, from 1 November 2024, people who were first released more than five (or four for DPP) years ago and have spent the last two years in the community on licence, will have their IPP sentences automatically terminated. About 1,800 people have already benefited from this change in law.

Further, from 1 February 2025, people will be entitled to a Parole Board licence termination review much earlier than before (three or two years after first release, as opposed to 10 years). Six hundred people should be immediately eligible.

A representative from the Howard League commented on the importance of the Hotline:

“We are very grateful for the volunteers at Peters & Peters who have given their time and enthusiasm to this project, which has added great value to the sector. We would not have been able to offer the tailored advice and support to so many affected by the IPP sentence without them. It has been very easy to work with Joseph Duggin and the rest of the team on this project.”

The Hotline has also received praise from various quarters, including in the House of Commons, from the Rt Hon Bambos Charalambous MP, and is recommended by the Parole Board itself on the government’s website.

Most importantly, UNGRIPP, which campaigns against, and supports those on, IPP sentences has reported that callers have much more clarity on the changes, as well as expressing appreciation for having someone listen to their experiences and the difficulties of being on an IPP sentence.

Stories from volunteers

Octavia, paralegal and hotline volunteer

“Taking part in the IPP Hotline has been both a rewarding and eye-opening experience. One caller committed an offence with a term of four years, but ultimately, due to the IPP sentence, served 12 years in custody. I was able to advise that he qualified for automatic termination on 1 November, which was welcomed news.”

Emily, trainee solicitor and hotline volunteer

“The experience has been rewarding, disheartening and heartening in equal measure. Being able to provide ‘good’ news that someone’s licence will automatically terminate on 1 November 2024 is great – it shows legislation in action, and callers are typically very relieved.

“Providing advice that an individual may need to wait two years from when they are released for their licence to be terminated is tougher. It is a reminder that there is still more to be done in seeking justice for individuals serving IPP sentences, but also demonstrates the value of the advice line: guidance and clear information for all those serving IPP sentences about the route to IPP licence termination.”