Faculty lends support to the Scottish Legal Walks

THE Faculty of Advocates is co-sponsoring the Scottish Legal Walks this year alongside the Law Society of Scotland, to lend support to this annual fund-raising drive by the Access to Justice Foundation Scotland. 

“Faculty is delighted to be a national sponsor of the Scottish Legal Walks this year and support the Foundation in the work it does to provide access to justice,” said Faculty Treasurer Ruth Crawford KC. “We are also pleased that the number of walks taking place across Scotland will be increased this year, as this is a fun and easily accessible way to raise awareness of and funding for pro bono legal services.” 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first Scottish Legal Walk in Edinburgh, which was followed in later years by walks in Glasgow and Dundee. Walks will now also take place in Falkirk and Aberdeen, meaning there are now five Scottish Legal Walks this autumn. 

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. 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.

Lord Tyre, a long-time 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.” 

Rebecca Samaras, an Access to Justice Foundation board trustee, 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 a 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!”

The dates for the walks are: 

• Falkirk Legal Walk – starts at noon on Sunday 24 September. 
• Glasgow Legal Walk – will be held on the evening of Tuesday 26 September.
• Edinburgh Legal Walk – will be held on the evening of Wednesday 4 October.
• Aberdeen Legal Walk – will be held on the evening of Wednesday 11 October.
• Dundee Legal Walk – will be held on the afternoon of Sunday 22 October.

The walks are open to advocates, devils, solicitors, trainees, law students, paralegals, sheriffs and other legal professionals, as well as their families and friends. Walkers can participate as individuals or in teams. More information on how to register can be found here.