Legal Walk

Access to Justice on the agenda as the law sector unites for a 10km walk

On June 13th this year, the London Legal Walk will return to London. Organised by London Legal Support Trust (LLST), a charity that fundraises to support free legal advice agencies in London and the South East, who are already busy preparing for the biggest fundraising event in the legal calendar..

In its 19th year, this 10km sponsored walk through central London encourages walkers from across the legal community to come together to raise funds for frontline free specialist legal advice agencies.

There are two routes on offer (with a further two shorter routes available for those who require a shorter route as an adjustment), which take in the Capital’s most beautiful landmarks, with the ever popular ‘Parks Route’ a perfect choice for those wanting to take in the city’s fantastic green space. In 2022, the charity welcomed over 12,000 walkers who raised over £720,000 – a huge achievement and a real show of support for the lifechanging work free legal advice agencies do.

With the rising cost of living and funding cuts, the funds raised by the Walk will be even more vital for securing the future of free legal advice agencies and the communities they serve. Many people are facing serious issues and are in desperate need of free specialist legal advice. Debt, homelessness, unemployment and domestic violence are all contributing to the hardship faced by many. We know accessing justice makes a difference to people’s lives – for example, LLST’s 40 Centres of Excellence alone helped 187,101 people last year.

Lord Burnett- Lord Chief Justice- President of LLST, says: “The Walk has always provided essential funds for legal advice agencies to help the most vulnerable people in London and the South East. This year, the number of people needing that help is increasing rapidly. I hope we can respond to that need by increasing our fundraising once again and I look forward to seeing a huge turn-out on June 13th.”

One past Legal Walk participant says: “Legal representation must be accessible to everyone, and I truly admire the work done by LLST to support this cause.”

The Walk attracts a range of people, from advice agency staff, to lawyers, to law students, to high-ranking judiciary. On the Walk, everyone walks side by side and the camaraderie of the event is unmatched.

Aside from fundraising, the Walk is also a lot of fun! Once you’ve completed your walk, there is a fun finish and celebration of your achievements with a post-Walk street party, complete with street food vendors and entertainment.

Please join Westminster & Holborn Law Society’s team by emailing cwhlawsoc@gmail.com

Sponsorships will be gratefully received on our team’s page https://londonlegalsupporttrust.enthuse.com/pf/westminsterholborn-law-society-2023

We look forward to seeing many of you there. ■