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Lawyers have raised more than £180,000 to help support the thousands of refugees fleeing their war-ravaged homes.
Employment barrister at London’s 11 KBW, Sean Jones QC, started the campaign after seeing a similar appeal organised by a group of children’s book writers that raised more than £100,000.
He set up an online Just Giving page asking lawyers to donate a billable hour to Save the Children. On social media website Twitter, he wrote: “Children’s authors are putting my own tribe to shame.”
Having initially set a target to raise £5,000, the appeal smashed that sum within an hour. The increased £7,500 target was exceeded, with £100,000 raised in 48 hours.
Donations ranged from £10 to £1,000 and at the time of writing the total had reached more than £180,000 from more than 1,400 individuals, chambers and firms with money still pouring in.
But in recognition that not everyone had the funds to give, Jones said: “If you cannot, please deploy your advocacy skills to nag someone else into doing so.”
Jones said: “I feel ashamed. I knew that the suffering and gross injustices the refugees are suffering would be something that lawyers would want, naturally, to address. However, I underestimated the urgent determination of my colleagues to help and their generosity.”
He said: “I’ve been particularly moved by the legal aid lawyers who have dug very deep to help, often donating a whole day fee. So much for greedy fat cats.”
“The Bar Council and specialist associations have all got behind the appeal. I have never been so proud to have such people as colleagues,” he added.
Lawyers in Canada, Australia and Germany have followed with their own appeals.
Lawyers have raised more than £180,000 to help support the thousands of refugees fleeing their war-ravaged homes.
Employment barrister at London’s 11 KBW, Sean Jones QC, started the campaign after seeing a similar appeal organised by a group of children’s book writers that raised more than £100,000.
He set up an online Just Giving page asking lawyers to donate a billable hour to Save the Children. On social media website Twitter, he wrote: “Children’s authors are putting my own tribe to shame.”
Having initially set a target to raise £5,000, the appeal smashed that sum within an hour. The increased £7,500 target was exceeded, with £100,000 raised in 48 hours.
Donations ranged from £10 to £1,000 and at the time of writing the total had reached more than £180,000 from more than 1,400 individuals, chambers and firms with money still pouring in.
But in recognition that not everyone had the funds to give, Jones said: “If you cannot, please deploy your advocacy skills to nag someone else into doing so.”
Jones said: “I feel ashamed. I knew that the suffering and gross injustices the refugees are suffering would be something that lawyers would want, naturally, to address. However, I underestimated the urgent determination of my colleagues to help and their generosity.”
He said: “I’ve been particularly moved by the legal aid lawyers who have dug very deep to help, often donating a whole day fee. So much for greedy fat cats.”
“The Bar Council and specialist associations have all got behind the appeal. I have never been so proud to have such people as colleagues,” he added.
Lawyers in Canada, Australia and Germany have followed with their own appeals.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
