More than 500 people participated in the annual Leeds Legal Walk this week.
The Yorkshire Legal Support Trust’s Leeds Legal Walk, which followed a 10km route from outside of the Leeds Combined Court Centre to the Rose Bowl at Portland Crescent, is close to meeting its target goal of £20,000.
“It was a fantastic show of support from all sectors of the legal profession in Leeds,” said David Barraclough, chair of the Yorkshire Legal Support Trust. “With over five hundred walkers, the 2019 Leeds Legal Walk was the largest ever (non-London) regional legal walk.”
These year’s Leeds Legal Walk on 24 June was led by Barraclough and Justice Barling QC, vice chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster; Paul Lawrence, high sheriff of West Yorkshire; Deveral Capps, dean of Leeds Law School; Amy Clowrey, chair of the National Junior Lawyers Division (JLD); and Charlotte Parkinson, vice chair of the National JLD.
Clowrey and Parkinson said: “It was an absolute honour to be asked to represent the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) as Lead Walkers at the Leeds Legal Walk 2019 and to see so many legal practitioners from in-house, large corporate firms and smaller high street firms, as well as many of the barristers’ chambers, judges and court staff, come together to promote access to justice.”
“Unfortunately not everyone has access to justice, usually due to financial constraints, so whilst it is disappointing that pro bono initiatives are still needed, until everyone has access to legal advice and our courts, they are necessary. The JLD is proud to stand with the Access to Justice Foundation and help it raise these vital funds.”
“Additionally, all of the walkers did Leeds proud by making it the biggest legal walk outside of London!”
Following the Leeds Legal Walk, the participants were welcomed back with a drinks reception hosted by Leeds Beckett University, with entertainment provided by Scott and the Antartics.
