To mark 20 years of the London Legal Walk, the Bar and the Bench are taking an extra step – 10km worth – by racing around the Walk’s route to break a new record and raise £1million for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST). 

On the morning of June 18, Chair of the Bar Council Sam Townend KC will lead a team of barristers against a team from the Judiciary led by High Court Judge Adam Constable KC. The fastest team will earn pride of place and take home the glory.

Since it began in 2004, the Walk has raised a staggering £10.5million. Last year alone saw 16,000 participants from 1,000 organisations take to the streets of London and raise a record £965,000. In this milestone year, LLST hopes to surpass previous fundraising achievements and hit the £1million mark for the first time – an ambition shared by the Chair of the Bar.

Sam Townend KC said: “I and members of the Bar and the Judiciary are going the extra mile — six in fact — to raise as much money as we can for LLST. Unfortunately, its work enabling more of the public to have access to justice is as important as it has ever been. I hope everyone in the legal profession will join us to push the sum raised to over £1million for the first time and take part in the Walk, which I will also be doing alongside the Bar Council team. Thank you to those who already registered — your participation will make a huge difference to the lives of thousands. I hope to see you and lots of teams along the route later this year.”

The Lady Chief Justice said: “This is another initiative that will boost the fundraising for this important annual event – I shall be cheering on the early morning Bench running team as well as leading the Royal Courts of Justice walking team later in the day. We must all, as a profession, continue to support this charity and the vital work that supports the drive for access to justice. Please dig deep in your pockets to make donations, as you feel able, and support for this event.”

The Bar Team:

  • Sam Townend KC (Keating)
  • Abigail Bright (Doughty Street)
  • Nargees Choudhury (Rose Court)
  • Neil Hext KC (4 New Square)
  • Michael Lemmy (Byrom Street)

The Bench Team:

  • The Honourable Mr Justice Constable
  • The Honourable Mr Justice Linden
  • The Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn DBE
  • The Right Honourable Lord Justice Haddon-Cave
  • The Honourable Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE

LLST supports more than 100 free legal advice centres in London and the South East to improve access to justice. The London Legal Walk is taking place between 3 – 7pm on Tuesday 18 June. Find out more and register via the LLST website. The Bar v Bench race will take place at 7:30am on the morning of the Walk. 

Donate now to back the Bar or the Bench.

Support the Bar Council’s team.