Pro Bono Practice and Opportunities in Honduras

In Honduras, the provision of legal services is primarily regulated by the Organic Law of the Honduran Bar Association (Ley Orgánica del Colegio de Abogados ^[1]) and the Code of Ethics of the Honduran Legal Professional (Código de Ética del Profesional del Derecho ^[2]), which outlines the requirements for obtaining a law degree, passing the bar exam, and obtaining a professional licence to practise law.

Lawyers must register with the Honduran Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados ^[3]) to be authorised to provide legal services, ensuring adherence to professional standards and ethical guidelines. In terms of authorisation to provide legal services, there are no differences for lawyers working as in-house counsel.

However, in-house lawyers are required to be members of the provincial/territorial law society in which they practise and are regulated by the rules of the Honduran Bar Association. In-house counsel may be prevented from providing pro bono services by the terms of their employment. For instance, there is limited scope for counsel at the service of the State, who are prevented from exercising the profession while holding the office.

In Honduras, pro bono legal services are guided by principles established by the Code of Ethics of the Honduran Legal Professional (Código de Ética del Profesional del Derecho), which encourages lawyers to provide free legal assistance to those in need.

There are no explicit regulations or limitations on providing pro bono legal services in Honduras, nor minimum fees required for them. Nonetheless, the Honduran Bar Association promotes its practice as a professional responsibility.

To perform pro bono legal services in Honduras, lawyers are required to have valid, up-to-date Honduran Bar Association licence.

Foreign lawyers who wish to practise pro bono in the country must be members of the Honduran Bar Association.

There is no minimum number of pro bono hours required to be performed by lawyers.

In Honduras, to graduate with a university degree in law, it is necessary to complete 40 hours of pro bono services under the supervision of a designated member of the university or a professional.

No, there are no target number of hours mandated by law, the Honduran Bar Association or regulations.

No, Honduran regulations do not provide for any CLE or equivalent credit for pro bono hours worked.

No, there are no requirements to have insurance coverage.

No, there are no rules that limit or prohibit the advertisement of pro bono successes or soliciting new pro bono clients. However, these activities are subject to the internal policies of the lawyers, law firms, and non-governmental organisations providing such services.

The main areas which present pro bono opportunities are labour law, immigration law, family law and civil matters related to properties, non-governmental organisations and entrepreneur advisory. Criminal law matters for illegal associations are also a major area of unmet legal needs.

Some public institutions, non-governmental organisations, law school students through their universities, private law firms and international corporations are the main providers of pro bono legal services in Honduras.

While law firms are looking for ways to implement the use of innovative technology and artificial intelligence in connection with the provision of pro bono legal services in Honduras, currently there are no specific publicly available examples.

• USAID
• AHK Honduras ^[4]
• World Vision ^[5]
• Local Chambers of Commerce ^[6]
• Local entrepreneur fairs

Yes, the Bar Association, for example, will notify registered lawyer of possible pro bono work opportunities.

No. Awards related to pro bono work are handled internally by law firms.