The 19th London Legal Walk saw a record-breaking 16,000 participants raise nearly £950,000 to support free legal advice services, with high-profile figures including the Lord Chancellor joining for the first time in recent years.
The 19th annual London Legal Walk, organised by the London Legal Support Trust, took place on 13 June 2023, drawing an unprecedented turnout of over 16,000 participants. This marked the largest attendance in the event’s near two-decade history, reflecting growing commitment within the legal community and beyond to supporting free legal advice services in London and the southeast. The 10-kilometre sponsored walk offered participants a choice of central London routes, culminating in a vibrant street party held in Carey Street, a fitting celebration of the collective efforts to enhance access to justice.
The event successfully raised close to £950,000, an impressive fundraising achievement aimed at supporting frontline advice agencies that provide vital legal assistance across the region. These funds play a crucial role in sustaining services that help individuals navigate legal challenges often beyond their means to resolve alone. Organisers have emphasised the importance of the walk in bolstering the availability and quality of free legal advice, highlighting the crucial role such support plays in improving access to justice.
Participation this year was notably diverse, encompassing members of the judiciary, barristers, solicitors, students, and staff from various advice agencies. Teams representing local branches of Citizens Advice, including Bromley, Harrow, Lewisham, Westminster, Southwark, Wandsworth, and Barnet, were particularly prominent, underscoring the community-wide engagement with this cause. The presence of senior legal figures such as the Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, the Lord Chief Justice, and the Master of the Rolls further underscored the significance the legal profession places on this event and its goals. Notably, 2023 marked the first time in recent years that a sitting Lord Chancellor participated in the walk, symbolising renewed high-level governmental support.
Despite the challenge posed by exceptionally hot weather on the day, teams such as LawCare completed the demanding 10-kilometre routes, demonstrating resilience and dedication. These collective efforts not only raised substantial funds but also fostered a strong sense of solidarity within the legal sector, united around the objective of ensuring equal access to justice for all.
The London Legal Support Trust looks forward to celebrating the walk’s 20th anniversary in 2024 with hopes of sustaining and expanding the support network for free legal advice. This milestone event is expected to continue galvanising the legal community and raising awareness about the ongoing need to fund and support essential legal services for vulnerable populations.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/gallery-flaming-june-brings-out-the-legal-walkers/5123618.article – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/london-legal-walk-2023/ – The London Legal Walk 2023, held on 13 June, saw over 16,000 participants, marking the largest turnout in its 19-year history. The 10-kilometre sponsored walk raised £950,000 to support frontline free legal advice agencies in London and the southeast. The event culminated in a street party in Carey Street, celebrating the collective effort to enhance access to justice. The London Legal Support Trust plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the walk on 18 June 2024, encouraging continued support for this vital cause.
- https://londoncitizensadvice.org.uk/news/london-legal-walk – The 19th annual London Legal Walk took place on 13 June 2023, attracting over 16,000 walkers, making it the most well-attended in its history. The 10-kilometre walk raised over £750,000 to support advice agencies in London, aiming to offer access to justice for all. Several teams from local Citizens Advice across London participated, including Citizens Advice Bromley, Harrow, Lewisham, Westminster, Southwark, RCJ Advice, Wandsworth, and Barnet, highlighting the widespread community involvement in this significant event.
- https://www.lawcare.org.uk/latest-news/london-legal-walk-photos/ – On 13 June 2023, the LawCare team participated in the London Legal Walk, covering a 10-kilometre route to raise funds for LawCare and the London Legal Support Trust. Despite extremely hot temperatures, the team completed the walk, contributing to the overall fundraising efforts. The event attracted thousands of participants, including members of the judiciary, barristers, students, advice agencies, and solicitors, all united in support of free legal advice services in London and the southeast.
- https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/associate-news/the-legal-community-unites-for-access-to-justice-at-the-london-legal-walk-2023 – The 19th annual London Legal Walk, held on 13 June 2023, attracted over 16,000 participants, making it the most well-attended in its history. The 10-kilometre walk raised over £750,000 to support advice agencies in London, aiming to offer access to justice for all. The event saw participation from various legal professionals, including the Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice, and the Master of the Rolls, highlighting the legal community’s commitment to supporting free legal advice charities.
- https://workingfamilies.org.uk/news-events/events/london-legal-walk-2023/ – On 13 June 2023, Working Families participated in the London Legal Walk, a 10-kilometre event supporting the London Legal Support Trust. The walk attracted thousands of participants, including members of the judiciary, barristers, students, advice agencies, and solicitors, all united in support of free legal advice services in London and the southeast. The event culminated in a street party in Carey Street, celebrating the collective effort to enhance access to justice.
- https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/lord-chancellor-to-lead-london-legal-walk/5116285.article – The new Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk MP, joined approximately 16,000 lawyers in the London Legal Walk on 13 June 2023. This marked the first time in recent years that a Lord Chancellor participated in the event. The 10-kilometre sponsored walk aimed to raise £1 million to support free legal advice in London and the southeast. The event attracted a range of participants, from advice agency staff to high-ranking judiciary, culminating in a street party in Carey Street.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, published on 19 June 2023, just six days after the event on 13 June 2023. It provides timely coverage of the London Legal Walk 2023, highlighting its record-breaking attendance and fundraising achievements. The event’s official website also confirms the date and details, supporting the freshness of the content. ([londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk](https://londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/london-legal-walk-2023/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Law Society president Lubna Shuja, emphasizing the importance of free legal advice charities. A search reveals that these quotes are unique to this report, indicating original content. ([lawgazette.co.uk](https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/obiter/record-breakers-london-legal-walk-gallery-2023/5116298.article?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Law Society Gazette, a reputable publication known for its coverage of legal news and events. This association enhances the credibility and reliability of the information presented. ([lawgazette.co.uk](https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/obiter/record-breakers-london-legal-walk-gallery-2023/5116298.article?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about the London Legal Walk 2023, including the record attendance of 16,000 participants and the fundraising total of over £750,000, are consistent with other reputable sources. For instance, the London Legal Support Trust’s official website confirms the event’s success and fundraising achievements. ([londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk](https://londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/london-legal-walk-2023/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of specific details, such as the participation of senior legal figures like the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, adds to the narrative’s plausibility. ([lawgazette.co.uk](https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/lord-chancellor-to-lead-london-legal-walk/5116285.article?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reliable source. Its claims are consistent with other reputable outlets, and the inclusion of specific details enhances its credibility. There are no significant concerns regarding the content’s authenticity or accuracy.
