By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 13:24, Tuesday, 18 September 2012

One of Carlisle’s judges is putting her best foot forward and joining a sponsored walk for justice.

Barbara Forrester

The 5km walk, which starts at the city’s court building next Thursday, aims to raise money for the North West Legal Support Trust.

It has been organised by solicitor Nicola Hartley, who started a Law Clinic in Carlisle in March where volunteers lawyers give free legal advice for those unable to pay for it.

She said Judge Barbara Forrester had agreed to support the walk, which involves lawyers from Cartmell Shepherd, Burnetts, Bendles and Butterworths.

“The Law Centre in Carlisle has already benefited from a grant from the trust and will be walking with us,” she said. “We also have representatives from the Access to Justice Foundation in London joining us and we are sponsored by the Law Society.”

She said the trust supported charities across the region, helping the “poorest and most disadvantaged members of society”.

“They provide free legal help to people facing problems such as homelessness, debt, unemployment, family issues, discrimination and injustice and they really need funds to support their work,” she added.

“The walk is timed to coincide with one in Manchester and I hope everyone who is free to make the trip will join us.”

Claire Davies, president of the NWLST, said they were really pleased to be taking part in the first legal walk in Cumbria.

“At a time of deep cuts to legal aid and to the funding of community legal advice centres, it’s vital that we do our bit to ensure access to justice is not restricted to the wealthiest,” she said.

“We hope this will be the first of many such events.”

First published at 11:29, Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk