What it means
Pro bono (from Latin meaning "for the public good") refers to legal services provided free of charge, typically to people who cannot afford a lawyer or to community organisations. Many Australian law firms, barristers and legal aid and community legal centres offer pro bono assistance. It is separate from legal aid, which is government-funded. Pro bono help can range from one-off advice to full representation in a case.
How it's used
A barrister agreed to act pro bono for the pensioner, who could not otherwise afford representation.