IBA Pro Bono Award 2026 – call for nominations
Monday 30 March 2026
The International Bar Association (IBA) is now receiving nominations for its 2026 IBA Pro Bono Award. The Award will be presented to the winner at a dedicated ceremony during this year’s IBA Annual Conference, taking place from 4–9 October 2026 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Pro Bono Award is free to enter and open to all lawyers – IBA members and non-members alike. The winner will receive:
- free registration to attend the 2026 IBA Annual Conference in Denmark;
- a contribution towards accommodation and travel costs to attend the Annual Conference;
- one year’s free IBA general membership; and
- free membership of the IBA Pro Bono Committee.
The prestigious award will be granted by the IBA Pro Bono Committee to a lawyer who has:
- shown outstanding dedication to the provision of free legal services and access to justice;
- taken an innovative approach to providing pro bono services, leading to new models of working in their own and other jurisdictions; and
- brought about a significant impact to an individual, community, group or country, or to the provision of pro bono services generally, through legislative reform, litigation or transactional representation.
Pro bono work is a cornerstone of the legal profession and the IBA Pro Bono Committee wants to help build a culture of pro bono work amongst lawyers, law firms and organisations of lawyers as a vehicle for access to justice, especially in places where that right is not fully supported by legal aid.
Arturo Banegas Masia and Annette Herrera Rodriguez, Co-Chairs of the Pro Bono Committee, stated: ‘The IBA Pro Bono Award is an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary individuals and organisations who use their legal skills to make justice more accessible. It shines a light on pro bono work that changes lives, strengthens communities and reflects the legal profession at its very best. We encourage nominations that celebrate those whose dedication and service deserve recognition.’
The deadline for submitting the award nominations is 2359 (BST) on Sunday 10 May 2026. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the email address provided on the nomination form. Any queries about the nomination process should be sent to george.little@int-bar.org.
Click here to access a nomination form, terms and conditions and full details regarding this award.
ENDS
Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org
Notes to the reader
- Click here to read about the recipient of the 2025 IBA Pro Bono Award.
- The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
- Find the IBA on social media here:
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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: https://tinyurl.com/35h2d44r
Full link: https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-Pro-Bono-Award-2026-call-for-nominations