Legal profession turns out for biggest London Legal Walk yet to help plug the justice gap
updated on 02 June 2016
The legal profession had its biggest turnout yet at the London Legal Walk earlier in May.
The London Legal Walk is an annual sponsored 10km walk for the London Legal Support Trust, which works to enable access to justice for all, regardless of their background or wealth – an increasingly difficult task in the face of government funding cuts which have eroded equality before the law for most people in the country at this point. The first London Legal Walk in 2005 had just 330 walkers, but this year over 10,500, solicitors, barristers, judges, law students and others across 600 teams took part.
Proceeds from the walk will be used to enable law centres and legal advice agencies to continue providing free legal advice on issues cases relating to disability, debt, employment, issues of modern day slavery, care facilities, and homelessness.
Jonathan Smithers, president of the Law Society, said: "It was fantastic to see so many lawyers come together because they passionately believe in access to justice...It is of vital importance that legal advice is available to those who need it irrespective of their means and background. This event is a testament to the legal profession's tireless commitment to a fair and equal justice system."
