Legal walkers raise over £500,000 for legal aid

Over 7,000 members of the legal profession turned out for the ninth annual London Legal Walk, which took place on 20 May.

More walkers than ever took part to raise an expected £500,000 for legal aid charities in London and the South East - an issue made more pressing by the legal aid cuts in April. The lord chief justice, the president of the Supreme Court, the master of the rolls, the attorney general and the director of public prosecutions were among the senior lawyers, judges and politicians taking part.

The 10km London Legal Walk took walkers past London legal landmarks, including Middle Temple, the Law Society and the Royal Courts of Justice. It was the biggest walk of its kind taking place, though other legal walkers were also taking to the streets in similar events across the country.

Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, president of the Law Society, said: "There has never been such a need for free legal advice. This year's legal aid cuts mean that thousands of people will be left with nowhere to turn for help. Free legal advice centres play a vital role in reducing the damage done by the civil legal aid cuts. The Law Society is proud to support legal advice centres by taking part in the London Legal Walk, while continuing to negotiate with the government over legal aid."