There's certainly something in the water as I have decided, for yet another year, to run the London Marathon to raise money for the Free Representation Unit.

For those of you who do not know, or weren't paying attention last time, FRU is a charity set up in 1972 but a bunch of disgruntled Bar Students to provide assistance in something they termed 'poverty law'.

To this day FRU exists with two charitable objectives, to provide training and experience to young lawyers as well as to alleviate poverty.  The Unit does this by providing free representation at Tribunals for clients who are unable to access legal aid and do not have enough money to fund their own case privately. 

FRU represents around 750 clients a year in social security, employment, criminal injuries compensation and asylum and immigration tribunals.   Successful results can lead to anything from an elderly war pensioner being able to keep a roof over their head to an employee unfairly dismissed getting their lifelong job back.

The Unit has also assisted in providing experience and training to thousands including our current Attorney General, The Honourable Baroness Scotland, and Tony Blair as well as hundreds of partners, judges and heads of chambers.

Any money raised will go directly to FRU to ensure that this charity is able to continue the great work it has been doing for so long.

Barney