On Tuesday 21st September, a group of about 150 lawyers took to the streets of Liverpool City Centre for the 10th Liverpool Legal Walk. At one point, as we walked past the Merseyside Police HQ in Canning Place I was called over to explain what was going on! I didn’t have time to give them the full rant! But was able to say that we were all involved in the legal profession and were raising funds for organisations that provide free legal help to those in need. And that we had a senior judge in our ranks!
The Walk raises funds for the most vulnerable in Society with a need for free legal advice. The organisations the North West Legal Support Trust (NWLST) supports:
- Prevent families being made homeless
- Prevent destitution
- Help older people gain the support to which they are entitled
- Help women and children who have been trafficked for domestic servitude or prostitution
Liverpool Law Society has a long and distinguished history of supporting Access to Justice. Indeed, the Vauxhall Law Centre, where I worked 40 years ago, was an initiative of the Society and were in fact my employers at that time!
The world has changed since those days, not least with the huge reduction in the availability of legal aid. All such centres are now dependent on fundraising to maintain their invaluable service.
This year’s walk saw the biggest turn out yet. On a beautiful early autumn evening we enjoyed a lovely sunset. We also enjoyed the lovely company of the largest group of lawyers that most of us had encountered, face to face, for 18 months. The diversity of the walkers reflects the diversity of the society itself. We had strong teams from larger firms including Hill Dickinson, Weightmans and Carpenters alongside many smaller firms and the city’s three Law Centres. For a full list of the 32 teams, please see http://www.nwlst.org.uk/our-walkers-20212.html.
As Chair of the North West Legal Support Trust I would like to thank everyone who took part and helped us to raise £5500 (and counting). I also want to thank our sponsors – Cook Legal Ltd, Complete Counsel and the University of Law and Lead Walkers – HHJ Hodge, Gareth Farrelly (former Everton FC player), Barrister and writer Sally Penni MBE and Liverpool Law Society’s President Julie O’Hare.
There are some photos of the 2021 Liverpool Legal Walk available to view here.
Steve Cornforth
Chair
NWLST