Media release: Clayton Utz launches $100,000 Access to Justice Award

The Clayton Utz Foundation is offering a grant of $100,000 through the Clayton Utz Access to Justice Award, to support an innovative access to justice program or project. Clayton Utz will also offer pro bono legal support for the winning program or project..

Clayton Utz Partner and Chair of the Clayton Utz Foundation, Marcus Davenport, said the Award will help put legal services in reach of those who need them.

'All Australians have the right to seek justice,' Mr Davenport said.

'But for many, legal help is limited by financial, social or health factors. We hope this Award will help shift the dial on access to justice for those who need it most.

'Our pro bono work at Clayton Utz has always been about access to justice and addressing disadvantage. We act for people in need who cannot access legal aid, and for the not-for-profit organisations which support them.

'We know and have worked with some incredible access to justice organisations around the country. I encourage organisations from the legal assistance sector to submit an online expression of interest. We want this $100,000 grant plus pro bono support to strengthen the development or expansion of a much-needed access to justice project.

'The Clayton Utz Foundation supports organisations that have a strong and meaningful connection to the firm or its values through our Pro Bono practice, our community involvement program Community Connect, and the volunteering and fundraising commitments of our partners and employees.'

The Clayton Utz Foundation has distributed more than $15.2 million in grants to over 300 charities since 2003. In particular, the Foundation has a history of providing significant funding to access to justice, having awarded 85 grants totalling more than $2 million to access to justice since 2006.

Expressions of interest for the Clayton Utz Access to Justice Award are now open, and will close 14 February 2025. A group of applicants will then be invited to complete a full application to the Clayton Utz Foundation, and the Award winner will be announced in June 2025.

Application criteria and conditions can be found here.