Bristol Law Society president Michael Gupwell has called on the city’s legal community to protect access to justice and to bang the drum for the role lawyers were playing in shielding the public from “savage criminal Legal Aid cuts”.
In a hard-hitting keynote speech to last night’s annual dinner he said access to justice had been under siege, which had led to unprecedented action by criminal defence solicitors, and civil court fee price hikes of up to 600%.
These had led many individuals and businesses with no redress. 
“Now we are facing court closures in our region and across the country and even more challenges to come,” he told the 370 guests.
But Mr Gupwell, pictured, said there had been one major and persistent challenge that had presented itself along with every other – an apparent lack of public interest.
“Everywhere I have been and in every forum where we have discussed the issues, the problem of lack of public support and, thereafter media support, has arisen. It is as if the public do not care what happens to lawyers, or even the law. That is, unless or until it directly affects them.
“So, we must shout about the good that we do, publicise our triumphs and the differences we make in society and bang the drum for lawyers, to address the public’s apathy.
“After all, we are the administrators of justice, who apply and uphold the law on a daily basis. From the biggest corporate deals, to the amazing pro bono work to support society’s most vulnerable, we all fight to protect the rights and interests of our clients.
“You only have to read some of the testimonials out there to see that when we do, we make a huge difference to people’s lives and they are truly grateful.
“So, it is vital that we continue to fight to overturn the fat cat stereotype and to protect our justice system and I would encourage all of you and all of your colleagues to grab every opportunity to speak up.”
The collective force of Bristol Law Society could make a difference, he said, and where BLS, the Association of South West Law Societies and the Joint 5 Law Societies of Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool could provide a platform.
Echoing the content of Mr Gupwell’s speech, the President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2015 in the Bristol Law Society’s annual awards went to Andy King of Avon & Bristol Law Centre.
The centre has a 95% success rate in appeals, against a 59% national average, and has secured £1m in compensation for clients, with the students from the University of the West of England and the University of Law helping over 200 people wrongly assessed as being fit for work. Legal aid has virtually disappeared for welfare benefits work
Bristol Law Society, which has 4,000 members, is the oldest local law society in England and Wales, and celebrates its 245th anniversary this year, having originally formed in 1770.
Mr Gupwell, an associate in the criminal defence department of Bristol firm Gregg Latchams, said this was about more than just numbers or a title. It was a legacy for Bristol.
“Bristol Law Society was the first time that competing lawyers came together in this country in such a collaboration. Well, in a pub, but as a collective force to meet the challenges of the times,” he said.
“For the founding members, it was the lack of access to the law, enshrined in those expensive leather bound tomes in London, and the time, expense and very real dangers of travelling to London, along roads littered with potholes and highwaymen, to carry out legal research.
“During my year in office, there are still a few potholes and, instead of highwaymen, we now have politicians, but there have been serious challenges facing us, our profession and even justice itself.”
Last night’s dinner and annual awards ceremony was sponsored by UWE for the sixth consecutive year and held at the Marriott Bristol City Centre Hotel. Other sponsors included Milsted Langdon, St John’s Chambers, Guildhall Chambers, Sounds Commercial, What’s Right CIC, and Albion Chambers. It was hosted by the BBC’s legal correspondent Clive Coleman.
For a full list of winners click here
