Pro Bono Helps Bridge Access-to-Justice Gap in Nepal

The Growth of Systemic Pro Bono in South Korea

Portugal Demonstrates Power of Pro Bono amid Pandemic

COVID-19 Convulses Pro Bono Landscape in England and Wales

Opaque Regulations Hamper Turkish Lawyers Embracing Pro Bono

In Ireland’s Challenging Landscape, Pro Bono Steps Up

Italian Appetite for Pro Bono Despite Regulatory Vacuum

A view from Brazil | Encroachments on media freedom

A view from Malawi | Combating fake news and the ‘infodemic’

A view from Egypt | Reporting from the frontline: the structural impact on newsrooms

A view from Moldova | Journalism’s financial free fall

A view from Kenya | Encroachments on media freedom

A view from Mexico | Combating fake news and the ‘infodemic’

A view from Zambia | Journalism’s financial free fall

A view from India | Reporting from the frontline: the structural impact on newsrooms

Working Together for Freedom of Information in Ecuador

Protecting Kelp Forests in Japan

Fighting Blood Shortages in Kenya

Through TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono legal service, Sisu Global Health were connected with two leading law firms - CFL Advocates based in Kenya and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton in the United States - for free legal support to fight blood shortages in Kenya.

WHO and leading NGOs launch inquiries into sexual exploitation allegations in DR Congo after investigation by Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian

Global humanitarian organisations have launched investigations into claims of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers in DR Congo during the 2018-2020 Ebola crisis.

Protecting Slum Dwellers’ Rights in Kenya

Through TrustLaw, Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT) was connected to law firms Pandya & Poonawala and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP to develop legal research and propose solutions to addressing the complex and contentious land rights issues faced by residents in Mukuru – using comparative models from the US, UK and India.

Ending Economic Abuse in the UK

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of and transforming responses to economic abuse. In 2018, SEA wanted to better understand the impact of the UK’s current insurance law and insurers’ practices on victims of abuse. They contacted TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s pro bono service, for legal research into the matter and were connected to the law firm Cooley LLP.

Fighting Corruption in Argentina

In order to improve asset recovery in corruption cases in Argentina, NGO Fundación Poder Ciudadano contacted TrustLaw, to conduct legal research on the legislation surrounding asset recovery in corruption cases and to better understand the legal framework in different jurisdictions. TrustLaw connected Fundación Poder Ciudadano with three law firms to produce the legal reports on the legislation in their respective jurisdictions – Steptoe and Johnson (United States), Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados (Brazil) and Legance Studio Legale Associato (Italy).

Enforcing Disability Housing Rights in Argentina

Through TrustLaw, Senderos del Sembrador, an Argentinean NGO that works to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities, was connected with Bullo Tassi a domestic Argentinian law firm to create a shared housing experience for individuals with disabilities.

Fighting Acid Attacks in the UK

TrustLaw connected Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) with Linklaters to produce a legal research report which is being used as a powerful tool to influence policy change in the UK.

TrustLaw Hits 5,000 Members

In eight years, TrustLaw - our network of top law firms, in-house legal teams from some of the best-known brands on the planet, high-impact NGOs and innovative social enterprises has grown to over 5,000 members.

Bangladeshi journalists welcome first TRF migration reporting course amid Rohingya crisis

15 journalists from across the country converged on a hotel in the diplomatic area of the city for a five-day course run by the Foundation’s Editor-in-Chief Belinda Goldsmith and Bangladesh correspondent Naimul Karim and sponsored by the C&A Foundation.

Journalism Fellow Awarded Prestigious Prize for Investigative Work

A journalism fellow from a programme run in collaboration with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the Stanley Foundation and Gerda Henkel Stiftung has been awarded second place at a prestigious journalism awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria for his investigative article on farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria and its impact on food security.

Using the Law to End FGM

TrustLaw connected 28 Too Many with seven law firms, led by Latham & Watkins, to lead a critical examination of the best and worst practices, and recommendations, for the formation of sound legal frameworks that will contribute to the global elimination of FGM/C.

Advocating for Supply Chain Transparency in Canada

World Vision Canada leads a growing coalition of partners promoting supply chain transparency in Canada. Through TrustLaw, global law firm Dentons was connected with World Vision Canada to conduct research on Canadian legislation on supply chains.

The Right To a Fair Trial in Latin America

TrustLaw connected Fair Trials, to seven law firms led by Hogan Lovells across ten countries in Latin America. The research conducted by the law firms provided practical legal advice for those going through a trial, as well as valuable findings on the rights and laws existing in Latin America on this issue.

Refugee Rights Through A Lens

Through TrustLaw, Refugee Council, a charity that works with refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK, received legal advice from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP on use of body cameras by Welfare Officers in refugee accommodation.

Refugee Family Reunification

Family reunification for unaccompanied refugee children is an important issue for Save the Children UK, which is why they approached TrustLaw for legal research on UK and EU law to support their programmes and advocacy campaigns. TrustLaw connected Save the Children UK with Latham & Watkins, who conducted this research and identified best practices.

Protecting Children In Uganda

In 2017, TrustLaw connected the Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF) with Onyango & Company Advocates for legal assistance in drafting a children’s protection and safeguarding policy for their staff and volunteers. The legal assistance not only led to decreased instances of abuse, but created a ripple effect throughout their community.

Conservation in Colombia

Cotton-top tamarins, known locally as “titís”—are widely recognised for their shock of white tufted hair and cheeky demeanour; but perhaps lesser known is that they are also among the most endangered primates in the world. Through TrustLaw, Proyecto Tití received legal advice to register a reserve in Colombia’s protected areas.

Thomson Reuters Foundation launches resource to help financial institutions tackle human trafficking

The Thomson Reuters Foundation launched powerful new Toolkit designed to help financial institutions fight human trafficking using data.

Four down, 46 more to go - Ending Child Marriage in the US

In May 2020, after years of lobbying US legislators and raising awareness on the issue, Unchained saw Pennsylvania and Minnesota become the third and fourth U.S. states, after Delaware and New Jersey, to end child marriage.

“Know your rights” Training Migrants and Refugees in Thailand

Through TrustLaw, the IRC received legal assistance from the international law firm DLA Piper to research the rights of refugees and migrant workers in Thailand and prepare resources and training materials. In a pioneer project, DLA Piper lawyers then led workshops for refugees, migrant workers and IRC staff—empowering them with information on their legal rights and status.

Feature highlighting inequality in Nairobi slum makes local splash

The Thomson Reuters Foundation's feature story "Forget Davos; Dandora holds the key to inequality - activists" published on January 24, 2018 was republished extensively by Kenyan media outlets and shared widely by local activists.

From Sex Traffickers To Kung Fu Nuns: The Thomson Reuters Foundation’s news team notched up a record year

From exposing the lives of sex traffickers in Mexico to interviewing Kung Fu nuns teaching women how to fend of sex attackers in India, the editorial team at the Thomson Reuters Foundation has had an interesting, varied and highly lauded year in 2017.

Celebrating innovation in pro bono in National Pro Bono week

At a time when we face global political, environmental, economic and humanitarian crises, we look to the power of pro bono to help build sustainable solutions.

Using technology to bring war criminals to justice

Pro bono legal assistance was crucial to put legal weight behind an innovative app that empowers human rights activists, journalists and prosecutors to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.

India to offer jobs to manual sand miners after deaths exposé

Authorities in western India have begun the process of offering alternative work to men risking their lives illegally mining sand, after a Thomson Reuters Foundation investigation in July uncovered at least two deaths in the past year.

First safe house for LGBTI refugees

LGBTI activists and pro bono lawyers teamed up to open the first safe house for LGBTI refugees in the UK.

Reportage from Myanmar Now is selected for global publication by Reuters

Myanmar-based news outlet supported by the Foundation achieves global resonance on the Reuters Wire.

Defending the rights of immigrants and refugees in the US

Pro bono lawyers and refugee rights advocates rallied together in record time to address the unprecedented travel and refugee ban issued by the new US administration, providing immediate legal support to those affected.

Policing cyberspace to fight sex crimes and child porn in India

Pro bono lawyers from India, Canada and the US joined forces to support a leading anti-trafficking non-profit in its quest to stop the distribution of images and videos of sexual violence in India.

Combating `sextortion’ in the digital age

Utah, Arkansas and Alabama have enacted the first pieces of legislation in the US that criminalise `sextortion’, a form of extortion where the currency of the bribe is sex or sexual images.

Benetton acts on story of leather tanneries in Kenya

The story prompted the Italian fashion company Benetton to contact the United Nations to get involved in such a project.

Feature on gender violence in Kenya prompts funding opportunities from US, Canada

A powerful feature by Foundation journalist Zoe Tabary prompted two funding opportunities from readers in the United States and Canada.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation helped me uncover the loss of billions of dollars from the Egyptian economy. Then the law changed.

One Egyptian journalist uncovered a way in which companies could easily avoid tax in her country. Her investigation was then used to create a new law.

Ending child marriage in the US, one state at a time

TrustLaw partnered with advocacy group Unchained At Last to support its fight to pass legislation that would ban child marriage in the US.

Supporting vulnerable victims of crime through the justice system

TrustLaw partnered with Fundación Carmen Pardo-Valcarce, a disability rights organisation, and lawyers from White & Case and WilmerHale to improve access to justice for people with disabilities.

News with a hard-hitting impact

Our stories have massive international exposure, reaching up to one billion people a day through the Reuters wire. What we write has the power to prompt action.

Placing the hospitality industry at the helm of fighting hunger

One man’s vision to deliver edible excess food from restaurants to those in need has been transformed into a reality, thanks to assistance from TrustLaw.

Protecting ‘Good Samaritans’ at road accidents

A team of lawyers, led by Dechert, produced comparative research on Good Samaritan laws in Europe, the US and Asia, to support the SaveLIFE Foundation in its efforts to introduce the first law in India that protects first responders to road accidents.

Exposing corruption in South American football

Thomson Reuters Foundation journalism training participant Liber Nan Pií±era publishes explosive report on South American football.

Fishing for fairness: Ending slavery and labour exploitation in the fishing industry

Visayan Forum Foundation used a TrustLaw cross-border study on the rights of fishing industry workers across 14 jurisdictions to advocate for the first rules and regulations setting minimum working and living standards for fishers in the Philippines.

Law firms step up pro bono support to address European refugee crisis

To support humanitarian and advocacy work in response to the European refugee crisis, TrustLaw facilitated a cross-border research partnership between the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Latham & Watkins and a consortium of local legal experts, consultants and academics on legal issues related to border control, asylum and refugee resettlement.

Critics are not criminals: Protecting journalists from criminal defamation laws

International law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton led a team of lawyers from 12 firms across the Americas to produce a comparative study for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The study backs a Pan-American advocacy campaign to decriminalise defamation and strengthen freedom of speech across the region.

Ensuring equal opportunities in education in India

LawQuest and Dentons teamed up with Sol’s Arc, India’s first parallel school offering special education, to extend educational concessions for children with disabilities in Maharashtra, India.

Tackling acid violence to ensure justice for survivors

Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) partnered with Baker & McKenzie, J. Sagar Associates, Linklaters and P&A Asia to produce a comparative report of acid violence laws in the UK, India, Cambodia and Colombia to end acid violence worldwide.

Supporting innovation to save newborn babies

Microsoft’s in-house legal team and specialist healthcare and intellectual property law firm Ashu Thakur & Associates partnered with Bempu Health to patent an innovative temperature monitoring bracelet, and to support their commercialisation strategy in the fight to reduce child mortality in India.

Legal research provides grounds to ban conversion therapy for LGBT youth

LGBT rights NGO, Equality Illinois and international law firm, Kirkland & Ellis successfully joined forces to produce a robust legal research to advocate for the ban of conversion therapy for LGBT youth in Illinois.

Using the law to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia

TrustLaw partnered with Liberty Asia and a consortium of law firms across Asia to produce a tool to educate front-line NGOs and legal service providers on the myriad of laws that are breached in different trafficking scenarios.

Fighting social exclusion through housing rights in Latin America

Through Trustlaw, TECHO Argentina, a youth non-profit, worked with PAGBAM and seven other law firms to conduct research on the right to housing across nine countries in Latin America. The resulting guide is being used by a range of actors to conduct strategic advocacy and shape a more progressive housing policy across the region.

Advocating for the repeal of a character evidence provision in Bangladesh’s rape trials

Through Trustlaw, the Bangladesh Legal Aid & Services Trust (BLAST) was connected with Norton Rose Fulbright and five other law firms to support BLAST’s advocacy for the removal of a Bangladeshi legislative provision which permits the use of character evidence in rape trials.

Defense Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers on Freedom of Expression

Through Trustlaw, Paul Hastings and their international team of 70 lawyers collaborated with Reporters Without Borders to develop a comprehensive handbook for journalists and bloggers on freedom of expression and freedom of information.

Protecting victims of sextortion worldwide

Through Trustlaw, the International Association of Women Judges partnered with Marval, O’Farrell and Mairal and seven other law firms to produce a guide outlining laws and practices relating to sextortion in nine jurisdictions. The research has been used to explore effective legal tools to help strengthen justice systems, protect and empower victims, and ensure they get access to justice.

News with a hard-hitting impact

Our stories have massive international exposure, reaching up to one billion people a day through the Reuters wire. What we write has the power to prompt action.

From slavery to freedom: meet Evelyn Chumbow

Trust Women speaker Evelyn Chumbow shares her inspiring journey from slavery to a new career path at a top international law firm.

From slavery to freedom: meet Evelyn Chumbow

Trust Women speaker Evelyn Chumbow shares her inspiring journey from slavery to a new career path at a top international law firm.

Top adventures in media development

From running independent news agencies in Egypt and Zimbabwe to helping local journalists conduct ground-breaking investigations into dirty money flows, get the 2014 highlights.

Top adventures in media development

From running independent news agencies in Egypt and Zimbabwe to helping local journalists conduct ground-breaking investigations into dirty money flows, get the 2014 highlights.

Protecting foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan

TrustLaw connected the Anticorruption Business Council (ABC) with lawyers at Ashurst and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom to produce a memorandum explaining how fraud is generally investigated as well as the mechanisms used to enforce regulation and punish those found guilty of defrauding investors.

Legal reform and compensation for rape victims in China

Vinson & Elkins led a group of law firms to conduct cross-border research on laws and regulations on psychological damage compensation for rape victims and underage prostitutes. The Zhongze Women’s Legal Counseling and Service Center used the findings to successfully advocate for the reforming of China's rape law.

Tax incentives for social good

Through TrustLaw, the Charities Aid Foundation received pro bono support from the legal teams at GE, DLA Piper, Grünkorn & Partner and Doulah & Doulah. The lawyers researched laws and policies on the presence, nature and accessibility of tax incentives for charitable donations in key selected nations.

Improving access to HIV self-testing in Africa

Arnold & Porter led a team of lawyers to conduct research on the legal frameworks and human rights implications related to HIV self testing. The cross-border research was used by the Southern African AIDS Trust to implement pilot projects for the equitable roll-out of HIV self-testing and advocate for reform where existing laws do not facilitate self-testing.

A global "know your rights" guide to street harassment

DLA Piper and seven other legal teams worked with Hollaback! to conduct pro bono research on local laws for street harassment. The research was used to develop a global “Know Your Rights” Guide for victims of sexual harassment around the world.

Justice for woman labeled a "witch" in India

Local authorities were spurred to action by our story on a a 60-year-old woman who was beaten for "being a witch" in eastern India.

Justice for woman labeled a "witch" in India

Local authorities were spurred to action by our story on a a 60-year-old woman who was beaten for "being a witch" in eastern India.

The "Magna Carta for Domestic Workers"

Through TrustLaw, Visayan Forum used legal research to successfully negotiate for landmark legislation in the Philippines, the "Magna Carta for Domestic Workers," which was passed in February 2013.

Patient privacy in a mobile world

TrustLaw partnered with Baker & McKenzie, Merck and the United Nations Foundation’s mHealth Alliance to develop global privacy and security standards for the use of mobile technologies in healthcare.

Sex trafficking case in Pakistan

Courts in Pakistan refused to touch a case on trafficking until we ran the story with the headline "Protect me from the beasts."

Protecting the girl child

TrustLaw legal research supports advocates in their fight to end the practice of child marriage.

News investigation revealed widespread faulty electrical wiring in Senegal

Foundation trainee Birame Faye used his training to investigate a slew of fires in Senegal and revealed that faulty electrical wiring is widespread in the country.

Zambian farmers gain attention with mining coverage

Foundation trainee news story on displaced farmers in Zambia leads to support from the government.

Global impact - spotlight on Africa

The impact of our work is truly global. Learn about our impact across the African continent.

Global impact - spotlight on India

See how the impact and presence of the Thomson Reuters Foundation in India continues to grow.