Corporate Partnership
MLRC values partnerships
At MLRC, we value each and every donation we receive from our supporters.
Mercy Law Resource Centre are very grateful for the support of our current corporate partners Mason Hayes & Curran, A&L Goodbody and Arthur Cox LLP.
In 2018, MLRC collaborated with corporate partners A&L Goodbody to establish a pro bono housing law clinic, building on an existing project. The programme is facilitated through close collaboration with Eithne Lynch, Head of Pro Bono at A&L Goodbody. Since 2018, MLRC has partnered with A&L Goodbody and Focus Ireland, with support from the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA), a FLAC initiative, to provide targeted legal assistance.
The clinic’s impact was highlighted in the May 2023 report, Housing Rights and Homelessness: Lessons from a Pro Bono Partnership – Impact of the Pandemic and Beyond. The report detailed the successful transition to an online format during the pandemic, outlining both challenges and benefits, and included feedback from partners and service users.
Staffed by A&L Goodbody solicitors with training and support from MLRC, the clinic assists Focus Ireland clients with legal issues related to social housing and emergency accommodation. In 2023, the clinic handled 96 new referrals—a 33% increase from 2022—addressing common issues such as refusal of homeless assessments, priority applications for social housing, and transfer requests due to anti-social behaviour or overcrowding. This partnership significantly addresses unmet legal needs in these areas.
Mason, Hayes and Curran (MHC) have been long-time supporters of MLRC’s work. In the summer of 2023, we jointly launched a new pro bono initiative between MHC and MLRC. The project comprises a telephone information clinic staffed by volunteer solicitors from MHC. The service focuses on callers to MLRC who are seeking information regarding social housing or homelessness matters but who do not appear from the initial query details to require urgent legal representation. The clinic operates weekly, serving 2-5 callers. If follow up legal advice or representation is required, MLRC will follow up with the caller directly.
At the heart of this initiative are the volunteer solicitors from MHC who generously donate their time and expertise. At a time of unprecedented demand for MLRC’s service, when phone calls in 2023 were up almost 30% on the preceding year, the telephone clinic has been of great assistance in ensuring callers to MLRC can access timely legal information while relieving pressure on our solicitor team. In the period from July – December 2023, MHC volunteers called back 62 clients – an invaluable contribution to meeting the needs of those in or at risk of homelessness.
We deeply appreciate the generous support of Arthur Cox in providing legal volunteers over the past few years. The contributions of trainees dedicating one day a week to MLRC have been invaluable. Furthermore, we have greatly benefitted from three consecutive six-month full-time placements of paralegals (pre-trainees at Arthur Cox) who have proved to be an indispensable resource for our work.
Aside from our pro bono partnerships, MLRC is also thankful for the number of in kind donations we receive from our supporters, including but not limited to: reduced rent and utilities; pro bono legal services by barristers and pro bono expert reports from doctors/psychologists and engineers.
MLRC is also grateful for the financial support we receive from Mason, Hayes and Curran and A&L Goodbody.
Do you think your company can help?
MLRC always welcomes input from the business community on how we can further extend our service to meet the urgent demands placed upon us. Whether it’s skill sharing, creative and marketing consulting, fundraising, event sponsorship, or just a helping hand, your business will benefit from partnering with an organisation that has a well-established reputation and expertise in housing law, helping people overcome legal barriers to accessing social housing.
Our policy work continues to influence the wider discussion in relation to housing. Adding to that, MLRC have been featured prominently on radio and in national and local print media for the work we do, as well as having a large social media presence. MLRC are seen as unique, innovative and passionate and are considered leaders in our sector. Working in partnership with MLRC hugely benefits the impact that MLRC can have on those who are on the extreme margins of society and have additional barriers in accessing legal services, rights and entitlements. Partnering with MLRC has the added the advantage of association with the only law centre in Ireland specialising in this area.
MLRC are looking for new partnerships with businesses partners that can make an impact. We love hearing from people as passionate about their work as we are, and would be delighted to engage with your corporate social responsibility team or committee. If you are interested in arranging a meeting to hear more about our organisation and how you can partner with us, please contact Siobhán on (01)4537459 or email siobhan@mercylaw.ie.
