National Pro Bono Week always prompts a round of new initiatives, but the bankruptcy scheme launched by 4 Stone Buildings junior Sharif Shivji has a better chance of success than most.

The Personal Insolvency Litigation Advice and Representation Scheme (Pilars) involves five sets of chambers. Citizens Advice Bureaux refer bankruptcy litigants to the panel of around 20 barristers to fight meritorious cases. The scheme won the support of the Vice- Chancellor Sir Andrew Morritt on its launch in June 2006.

Pilars is currently just a pilot scheme, but Shivji has plans to expand it when the trial period comes to an end later this year.