The Bar v the Bench race is back for another year, this time with solicitors entering the fray. Teams from the Bar, Bench and Law Society will go head-to-head and race 10km around the London Legal Walk’s route to help raise money for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST).
On the morning of June 17, former Bar Council Chair Sam Townend KC will again lead a team of barristers against a team from the Judiciary led by High Court Judge Sir Adam Constable.
This year, they will also be competing against a team of solicitors led by the Law Society’s Chief Executive Ian Jeffrey and Vice President Mark Evans. The team with the fastest average time will earn pride of place and take home the glory.
Since 2005, the Walk has raised £11.5million. Last year was the biggest in the Walk’s 20-year history with 18,000 walkers taking on 10km for justice and helping to raise more than £1million. LLST hopes to this year surpass previous fundraising achievements and raise more than £1million this year.
Sam Townend KC said: “As a ‘run-up’ to the London Legal Walk it is great that the teams of barristers and judiciary are this year joined by solicitors in ‘going the extra mile’ — six in fact — racing the 10k Walk route to raise as much money as we can for LLST. Given the gaps in legal aid provision, its work enabling more of the public to have access to justice is as important as it has ever been. I hope everyone in the legal profession will join us to push the sum raised to over £1million again this year.”
Law Society of England and Wales vice president Mark Evans said: “Solicitors are delighted to join barristers and the judiciary ‘on the run’ for justice. The London Legal Walk is a wonderful fundraiser to take part in and raises an incredible amount of money which ensures some of the most vulnerable in society can access justice. We are pleased to play our part to help the Trust keep pace with its fundraising target.”
The Bar Team:
- Sam Townend KC (Keating Chambers and Chair of the Bar 2024)
- Kate Riekstina (Great James Street Chambers)
- Alexandra Marzec (5RB)
- Neil Hext KC (4 New Square)
- Michael Lemmy (Byrom Street Chambers)
The Bench Team:
- Mr Justice Constable
- Lord Justice Haddon-Cave
- Mrs Justice Steyn
- Mr Justice Linden
- Mrs Justice Joanna Smith
Law Society Team:
- Ian Jeffery (CEO, Law Society)
- Mark Evans (Vice President, Law Society)
- Michael Frape (Ashtons Legal)
- Bethany Walker (Russell-Cooke)
- Alexandra Anderson (RPC)