Law Society will launch panel of lawyers to help London Bridge terror victims

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By Katie King on

News follows outpouring of pro bono support in Manchester

Image credit: (Twitter @BarryCaffrey)

The Law Society will be setting up a panel of lawyers to help the victims of the London Bridge terror atrocity.

At around 10pm on Saturday night, three men used knives and a vehicle to kill seven people and injured many more in the London Bridge/Borough Market area. The first victim has been named as Chrissy Archibald, whose family has since released this incredibly touching statement:

Clearly moved by the atrocity and keen to help in anyway it can, the Chancery Lane-based society has said it’s setting up a rota of lawyers to help those injured and the families of those killed. It will be teaming up with the City of London Law Society and pro bono charity LawWorks to do so. Law Society president Robert Bourns said:

Those affected by this terrible attack will be dealing with enormous personal distress – physical, emotional or otherwise. That will be exacerbated by unforeseen and sometimes complex legal issues caused by this event. We hope free legal advice will assist victims of last Saturday’s attack in London to deal with any distressing practical issues that arise and relieve just a little of the worry.

Lawyers willing to act for clients on a pro bono basis should email the Law Society.

This follows a successful pro bono appeal courtesy of Manchester Law Society.

In the days following the Manchester Arena bombing — in which 22 people lost their lives — the society issued a rallying call to those willing to give free legal advice to the victims. A statement published on the society’s website specified:

[A] priority area for early advice is likely to be compensation to which the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme may apply. This aspect is especially appropriate for pro bono help throughout. As you will appreciate, since costs are not paid by the scheme, it will be important for bereaved families and injured victims to receive 100% compensation.

Manchester Law Society has now confirmed it’s received hundreds of applications from lawyers willing to help out, including solicitors from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Clifford Chance, Berwin Leighton Paisner, DWF, Ashurst, Addleshaw Goddard, Trowers & Hamlins and Irwin Mitchell.

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