Low-income Saskatchewan residents will now have increased access to legal aid with the formation of a non-profit organization offering free services.

Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) was launched at the annual general meeting of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Thursday in Saskatoon.

Pro bono is a term used to describe professional services offered without payment.

PBLS executive director Pamela Kovacs said this kind of work is already practised by most Saskatchewan lawyers, and three centres located in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert exist to offer services to local residents.

Pro bono work has never been co-ordinated on a provincial scale, but such an organization has been in the works for a number of years.

The project was spurred by a recent provincial task force that found many people cannot afford legal services in the province.

"This is a response to the access to justice problems we're having in the province," said Kovacs. "Our system of justice should be available to all, regardless of income level."

Kovacs said some people are able to receive free legal services through legal aid, a government-funded legal assistance program.

But not everyone qualifies for legal aid and people living under the official low-income cut-off line may not be able to afford a lawyer when they need one. These people are eligible for the pro bono program.

Saskatchewan is the fourth jurisdiction to develop a provincial pro bono organization, following the lead of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Kovacs says several of Saskatchewan's largest law firms have signed a pledge indicating they will encourage pro bono work by allowing their lawyers to bill the firm for their first 50 hours of free work.

The organization will be funded by the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Kovacs is also seeking charitable status to enable private donations.