Reprieve on justice
Last week I was very happy to join Wilsons Solicitors to celebrate their silver anniversary at the resplendent Tottenham town hall. Although it could not have been anticipated, it turned out to be an opportunity to celebrate more than just the firm.
The firm has been serving the local community in Tottenham since 1989, providing advice and assistance to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society. Those assembled to join the party represented a broad range of local dignitaries and internationally regarded human rights specialists.
But it was the firm's partners, solicitors, case workers and some very long serving support staff who took centre stage. What is a firm, if not the people who work there and the passion that drives it? The passion running through Wilsons is evidently for justice and community.
Over 400 people have worked in the firm over the past 25 years. Each of those employees has shared a confidence and belief that they can win cases and get justice for their clients. Many of those involved in the firm are by necessity active campaigners, pro bono workers and charity fundraisers.
The firm paid tribute to its staff and acknowledged that "none of us knows what the future holds, apart from we won't have Scottish clients in deportation appeals in our lifetime", making a reference to that day's referendum result on Scottish independence.
What the firm did know, though, was that there was a reprieve, however temporary, in the proposed cuts to legal aid funding.
In many deprived areas, such as this area of north London, firms are reliant on legal aid, so it came as a genuine gift when the judgment was delivered, hot off the press, that the justice secretary's proposed cuts were "so unfair" as to be illegal.
A cheer rallied throughout the building. This is indeed a "huge victory for criminal and family lawyers" and the firm was proud to have spoken up on the subject at each and every opportunity.
After the balloons had deflated and the party moved on (in this case to an after-party in a local restaurant followed by an after-after-party in another) the fight for justice continues.
With Wilsons well-established in Tottenham, it seems unfeasible that they will not still be there in another 25 years, fighting for the rights of local residents, producing a new generation of lawyers with justice at the core of what they do and serving the community.
I'll raise a glass to that.
Kevin Poulter, editor at large
@SJ_Weekly #SJPOULTER editorial@solicitorsjournal.co.uk