Ten years on, five Legal Walks

The Scottish Legal Walks are expanding this autumn!

The Access to Justice Foundation Scotland committee is delighted that the Law Society of Scotland and Faculty of Advocates are sponsoring the Scottish Legal Walks 2023. We are really looking forward to the now five Scottish Legal Walks this year:

1. The inaugural Falkirk Legal Walk is at noon on Sunday 24 September. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Laura Brown (laura@brownowl.scot).

2. The Glasgow Legal Walk is on the evening of Tuesday 26 September, sponsored by the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow.

3. The Edinburgh Legal Walk is on the evening of Wednesday 4 October, sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard.

4. The inaugural Aberdeen Legal Walk is on the evening of Wednesday 11 October, sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Calum Graham (c.graham15@rgu.ac.uk).

5. The Dundee Legal Walk is on the afternoon of Sunday 22 October, sponsored by Thorntons.

There is more event information at atjf.org.uk/about-us/our-work-across-the-uk/scotland.

10 years on

It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since the Foundation held its first Scottish Legal Walk in Edinburgh, organised by Rebecca Samaras, on a route, still used, set by Edinburgh University law students with input from Professor John Cairns. Some who were present that day are still involved! We hope to mark this special anniversary at the Edinburgh walk.

Lord Tyre, a great supporter and lead walker for the Edinburgh Legal Walk commented: “The Edinburgh Legal Walk has become an annual fixture, affording practitioners and students alike an opportunity to raise funds and show support for access to justice and the provision of free legal advice and assistance. It has been my privilege and pleasure to join these walks and to see for myself the enthusiasm of the participants for the contribution they make to the vital resource of legal advice to those who would not otherwise be able to obtain it. I am delighted to congratulate the walk on its 10th anniversary.”

Austin Lafferty, former President of the Society who addressed the inaugural walk, said: “The Legal Walks are a combination of gentle exercise, collegiate effort, fundraising and support of access to justice. In Glasgow it’s a sightseeing stroll, and we top it off with drinks or tea at the Faculty Hall on completion. Whether you are a solicitor, trainee, law student, paralegal, secretary, advocate, sheriff, other legal professional, family, friend or dog, you are welcome and encouraged to participate as individuals or in teams.”

Rebecca Samaras added: “When we organised the first Scottish Legal Walk, we never envisaged that, 10 years later, we would be celebrating in not one, but five Scottish locations. The success of the legal walks and indeed all other ATJF fundraising events is testament to the support of our legal profession, our law students and all those who campaign for access to justice. Let’s see what we can achieve in another 10 years!”

It’s not just about walking, though. The Great Legal Quiz is on 29 November, and the Great Legal Bake is from 6 to 10 November, which is also Pro Bono Week 2023. More event information is at atjf.org.uk/

Facing a growing need

Since 2021, these events, teamed with other strategic development work from the Access to Justice Foundation, have raised nearly £1 million which has been distributed through 53 grants to support vital legal advice to individuals and communities most in need throughout Scotland. Charity grantees include Scottish Child Law Centre, Govan Law Centre, Community Law Advice Network – Clan Childlaw, Castlemilk Law & Money Advice Centre, JustRight Scotland, Legal Services Agency and Ethnic Minorities Law Centre.

The impact of this investment has been profound, transforming the lives of children facing poverty and homelessness, women escaping abuse, individuals experiencing discrimination based on gender and race, people with disabilities, and others who have faced exclusion.

Organisations have experienced up to a 48% surge in demand: over 40,000 people most impacted by the cost of living crisis could go without the advice and assistance they need. Legal Services Agency said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and the cost of living rise have impacted a large number of people needing legal advice, with further hardship to communities already experiencing disadvantage.”

Emma Hutton, JustRight Scotland’s CEO, added: “We work daily to support people whose rights are at risk, and who find it hard to access justice. Funding for charities is crucial to ensure that marginalised groups and communities get the support they need to access their rights.”

I was really inspired by the inaugural Edinburgh event, which was great fun and a real networking opportunity. All walkers are welcome, and all funds raised in Scotland stay in Scotland.

There are many ways you can support the ATJFS and the walkers etc. If you are interested in joining our ATJFS committee or working group, helping out with local events, or setting up another Scottish Legal Walk, please get in touch.