Legal Profession Unites for Largest Ever London Legal Walk
21 May 2012
The legal profession will today unite to raise funds and show
their support for the free legal advice sector. A record-breaking
6,000 people have signed up to participate in this year's London
Legal Walk, which last year raised £497,000 for legal advice
services providing free support and assistance to some of the most
vulnerable members of society.
The Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in
England and Wales, and the Presidents of the Law Society, which
represents solicitors, and the Chartered Institute of Legal
Executives (CILEx), which represents chartered legal executives,
will be among those leading this 10km sponsored walk around some of
London's legal landmarks.
The London Legal Walk is the largest of many legal walks taking
place across the country, attracting the support and participation
of senior judges, lawyers and politicians, including the Lord Chief
Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the Attorney General and the
Director of Public Prosecutions.
Michael Todd QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, said:
"At a time of deep cuts to the public purse, including legal aid
and local government budgets, the funds raised by the London Legal
Walk are needed more than ever. I am proud to be leading thousands
of walkers in support of the many excellent organisations providing
free legal advice across London, all of which provide vital support
to people in their darkest hours."
John Wotton, President of the Law Society, which is the main
sponsor of this year's event, said:
"The London Legal Walk is a highlight of the legal calendar and
raises vital funds for free legal advice in the capital and South
East. It represents the unity of the legal community in support of
access to justice. With the world watching London in this Olympic
year, it sends out a strong message to other nations to follow
suit."
Susan Silver, President of CILEx, added:
"With the event of the LASPO Bill, charities like the Legal
Support Trust are more important now than ever before. CILEx
members will be joining the rest of the legal community at legal
walks across the country to help raise funds and awareness for this
vital charity."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Further information is available from the Bar
Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525 or Press@BarCouncil.org.uk,
or from the London Legal Support Trust at www.londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk,
where photographs will be posted after the event.
2. On Monday 21 May, walkers will gather at the Royal
Courts of Justice and depart from 16:30 onwards, finishing the walk
at the Law Society on Chancery Lane. The lead walker photographs
will take place between 16:30 and 17:30 in the main hall at the
Royal Courts of Justice.
Members of the press wishing to attend should contact Harriet
Deane at HDeane@BarCouncil.org.uk.
3. To follow the events live or join in the debate on
Twitter, please use the hashtag #legalwalk.