Baroness Helena Kennedy QC lead this year's Wainwright Walk

The annual Wainwright Walk raises vital funds to support the work of the Law School's Community Legal Helpdesk, which provides legal support and guidance to members of the public in Exeter. 

The Walk is held in memory of District Judge Jill Wainwright, who was a friend of the Law School and a member of the steering group which first developed the Community Legal Helpdesk. The first Wainwright Walk was held in March 2012, and raised over £5000 to support access to justice.

The Law School was delighted to welcome Baroness Kennedy to lead this year's walk. She is one of Britain's most distinguished lawyers, and has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system. 

This year's Wainwright Walk is particularly significant as it is taking place just a few weeks before the wide-ranging cuts to legal aid under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 come into force. Dr Sue Prince, who is the Law School's Director of Education and also the Director of the Helpdesk, explains "the impact of the forthcoming cuts in legal aid will be far-reaching and will impact on local people who need help and advice with legal problems in the areas of family law, employment and debt.  The cuts will come into effect at the beginning of April and will mean that those who have previously received support will no longer have access to lawyers. The Community Legal Helpdesk which is based at Exeter County Court provides a vital service for court users and particularly litigants-in-person. It has been in existence for just over a year and has so far handled over 150 cases. The Community Legal Helpdesk has just been shortlisted for a national award as Best Student Pro Bono Project and the students and staff will be at the Awards ceremony in March at the House of Commons. It is a testimony to the enthusiastic work of our students that we have been shortlisted. The Wainwright Walk is a means of raising money to support the work of the Helpdesk and also to highlight the issue of poor access to justice. This is a high-profile topic for members of the judiciary and the legal profession and we are pleased to have our Honorary Graduate, Baroness Helena Kennedy to lead the Walk this year."

To make a donation to this worthwhile cause, please see the Wainwright Walk webpage.