City of London Law Society pledges funding and support to All Rise to deliver legal education in schools serving disadvantaged communities

The City of London Law Society (CLLS) today announces a new support package for All Rise, the legal education provider, which will see at least 15 new workshops delivered in 15 primary and junior schools within 15 miles of the City of London. 

All Rise is designed to raise awareness of and aspiration for a legal career among pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, at an early stage in their educational journey. At a time of growing recognition across politics and society of the need to improve social mobility and strengthen diverse professional pathways, the CLLS is proud to support this early-stage intervention through an initial £7,500 funding commitment. 

James Stewart, solicitor-turned-teacher and founder of All Rise, said: “I am incredibly grateful to the City of London Law Society for its support. With this funding, we will be able to reach many more schools in communities where opportunities for enrichment may be limited. As a result, more young people will gain a greater understanding of the legal and justice systems and how it shapes their lives. Teachers and pupils repeatedly tell us that these workshops are transformative, helping students to see the law as a positive force in society and to see that a career in law is within their reach.” 

The All Rise workshops are designed to help pupils understand their rights, their responsibilities, and the role that the law plays in protecting their voices and choices. The sessions are fully interactive and include a mock ‘crown court’ trial, teaching on cyberbullying, and case studies inspired by famous moments in history and fiction. All Rise has reached over 6,500 students to date and was described by the former President of the Law Society of England and Wales Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce as “so important to ensuring our children are able to better understand the law and how it affects them”. 

Patrick McCann, CEO of the CLLS, said: “There is a clear gap between geographic proximity to the City and access to many its professions. The CLLS is uniquely placed to help City Law reach into these disadvantaged communities and extend the profession’s appeal to an underserved section of the talent pipeline. My hope is that boosting All Rise’s funding and widening its impact will set an example for the legal sector and in the long term will demonstrate the clear value of boosting awareness, confidence and aspiration at an early stage.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

The City of London Law Society is the professional representative body for solicitors and law firms in the City of London, including all the largest national and international practitioners. Our membership takes in more than 22,000 solicitors and 70 corporate member firms. 

For further information and interview requests, please contact George Kyrke-Smith on +447834658631 or george.ks@panterra.global.