Clyde & Co has introduced a new policy that will see UK fee earners allowed to include up to 50 hours of pro bono work in their billable hours targets.

The new policy, which came into effect last month, means lawyers will be able to count some pro bono work as chargeable hours for the purpose of performance-related bonus targets.

Billable targets vary between groups, with the lower-end target thought to be in the region of 1,400. Bonuses will be paid out in August.

The move comes after Clydes introduced the same policy in its US offices towards the end of 2010.

Senior partner Michael Payton said: "I have always been struck by how good pro-bono efforts in the US are. They always seem to be ahead of us in that respect, so when our US offices told us they were going to include pro bono hours in their billable targets, we thought it was absolutely right that we should do the same.

"For associates, there are so many competing calls on their time that hopefully this will alleviate some of the pressure."

Payton is currently spearheading two new initiatives through the firm's pro bono and community programme, Clyde & Community. The first sees the firm joining with insurers to give pro bono advice to consumers having difficulties with claims or products, and the other is intended to promote peer mediation in schools.

Last month Clydes announced that its revenues for the last financial year rose by just over 10%, taking turnover through the £200m barrier for the first time.

The 10.4% increase put 2010-11 turnover at £212m, up from £192m the previous year, with UK operations contributing 59% of the firm's total revenues.