The Scottish Legal Walks are back!

The Access to Justice Foundation (ATJF) is delighted to welcome back the Glasgow Legal Walk on 28 September and the Edinburgh Legal Walk on 11 October 2021.

These events are great fun and an excellent way to meet up with other members of our profession, not-for-profit organisations, students and, indeed, their dogs! They are however fundraising events, and all funds raised are distributed to Scottish charities providing legal support and services to the most vulnerable in our society. For more information, visit atjf.org.uk/legal-walks

Back in 2013, Rebecca Samaras, ATJF trustee for Scotland, and Ruth Daniel, CEO of ATJF, were involved in setting up the first ATJF fundraising event in Scotland. The first Edinburgh Legal Walk kicked off with an inspiring address from Lord Tyre on access to justice, and proceeded from the University of Edinburgh’s Old College Quad past various historical and legal landmarks in Edinburgh. ATJF and its events have come a long way since then, and eight years on, the Legal Walks have become annual events held in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Around £40,000 has been raised to date in Scotland by ATJF through event fundraising, and all donations have been distributed to Scottish advice charities, so what is raised in Scotland stays in Scotland.

The Go the Extra Mile for Justice challenge was launched last year in place of the postponed Scottish and other Legal Walks, and due to its success has continued to run throughout 2021.

ATJF is also registered as a charity in Scotland, and is supported by ATJF Scotland whose committee members have been appointed from a broad section of Scottish organisations, all committed to ensuring access to justice for all. ATJF is seeking designation as a Scottish prescribed charity eligible for pro bono costs orders in terms of the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018. Although no Scottish prescribed charity has yet been designated by the Lord President to receive pro bono costs, the Foundation is a strong candidate and hopes to achieve designated status in due course.

Social justice initiative

The impact of COVID-19 on social welfare legal advice organisations led to a group of independent funders working in partnership with representative bodies to form an alliance for social justice by creating the Community Justice Fund (CJF). ATJF, as one of the funders, was tasked with hosting and distributing this vital funding which distributed substantial sums to several Scottish charities adversely affected by the pandemic. For more information about the CJF and other campaigns, including a list of charities who have received funding, see atjf.org.uk/community-justice-fund-grants

After the success of the first wave of CJF funding, a second wave is underway, to be distributed by the end of the summer. Acknowledgment of the work carried out and the continued support shown by the Law Societies of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England & Wales has been welcomed by ATJF Scotland, and more broadly, by ATJF.

If you’re unable to join a walk, but wish to sponsor an event, or donate to the ATJF, please contact lauracassidy@atjf.org.uk

ATJF hosts online events that give attendees the chance to engage directly with specialist legal advice agencies working on the front line. It is delighted to confirm its first Scottish virtual Q&A event at 9am on Wednesday 15 September, with Kirsty Thomson, partner/managing director at JustRight Scotland, one of its CJF grant recipients. You can register for this Zoom meeting.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual Pro Bono Week event, from 1-5 November, which offers an opportunity to recognise and support the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK in giving free and much needed legal assistance to those in need: see probonoweek.org.uk/

So why not come join, sponsor, or follow us, or get in touch!

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