Members of Premier Computer with Freemans Solicitors will be joining thousands of solicitors taking part in the 10km London Legal Walk around Central London led by the Lord Chief Justice.
This year’s London Legal Walk marks the 10-year anniversary of the event and organisers have aimed to make it the “biggest and best ever walk” in the event’s history.
Last year 7,500 volunteers took part in the event, which raised over £530,000. Organisers and participants hope that this year’s walk will “smash” last year’s record as “the need for funding is now far greater”.
All funds raised will support charities that provide free legal advice to those who cannot afford it such as Law Centres and CABx. These advice agencies do a crucial job in preventing homelessness, improving the living conditions of children in extreme poverty and trying to combat discrimination and injustice. With the recent cuts in legal aid funding, this is essential support to the most vulnerable of people. The walk provides a great opportunity for lawyers, business associates and friends, from all backgrounds, and all levels of seniority, to come together and show support for these agencies whilst taking part in for a very enjoyable event, with a serious message.
The walk is led from the very top with the Lord Chief Justice, Master of the Rolls, Attorney General, Solicitor General, DPP, judges from the Supreme Court, Appeal Court and High Court and a range of partners and head of chambers getting involved. There are already almost 400 teams signed up this year – you can see which law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments, companies, law schools, court and judiciary teams are taking part by clicking here.
Nicholas Fluck, president of the Law Society, said: ‘Advice agencies and pro bono centres are a source of hope for those who haven’t the means to pay for legal advice and do not qualify for legal aid. Walking together, as one legal sector, is a small way we can help ensure these services remain available.’
Bob Nightingale, chief executive of the London Legal Support Trust, said free legal advice is essential in ensuring vulnerable people have access to justice.
‘Obviously we can’t completely fill the funding void advice centres have suffered in recent years but the funds raised through the London Legal Walk can go some way to ensure thousands of the most vulnerable people in and around London will get the vital legal help that they would otherwise have been unable to afford,’ he said.
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