Lawyer Impact Survey 2020

In 2020, we carried out our first ever Lawyer Impact Survey to assess the impact of our support to lawyers through our emergency defence and strategic litigation programmes. Through these programmes, lawyers are offered financial support to cover their legal fees and pro bono legal support. Our legal support is based on their needs and therefore comes in many different forms, for instance legal research, advice on strategy or support with drafting.

The purpose of this survey is to help us improve the level of support we offer to lawyers and, in turn, contribute to enhancing freedom of expression globally.

The survey was shared to all lawyers who represented journalists in cases that closed in 2020. The 43 emergency and strategic cases that closed in 2020 were supported by 22 lawyers. We received a total or 16 responses, which represents a 73% response rate.

Key findings include:

• 100% of respondents recognised that Media Defence added value to their case
• 94% of respondents would recommend our legal support to other lawyers
• 90% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the quality of legal support
• 88% of respondents felt more confident in their skills and ability in litigating freedom of expression cases; and
• 88% felt more likely to take on cases relating to the defence of journalism and media.

The first ever Lawyer Impact Survey allows us to conclude that Media Defence’s pro bono legal support added value in all of the cases and has positively impacted their work moving forward. The context in which journalists and lawyers operate is worsening. As such, lawyers require increased financial and technical legal support.

Read the full report here.

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