Steps for Justice

Tripadvisor top 10 tour guide (and pro bono solicitor) Ian Fagelson will lead us on a tour from the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral where Gunpowder plotters, and at least one innocent priest, were hanged, drawn and quartered, via the Old Bailey, to a beautiful Tudor manor house where opening the mail uncovered dark deeds in the 16th Century. Along the way we will visit some of the City’s most beautiful sites, hear tales like that of Elizabeth I’s doctor, ‘fitted up’ for treason in 1594, and pass the pub where Charles Dickens witnessed the public hanging of a murderous couple in 1849.

We will visit the spot where grave robbers sold corpses to the surgeons at Bart’s Hospital (only to end up on the dissection table themselves) and meet a whole host of colourful characters, some of whom were actually guilty of the crimes for which they were convicted.

Halfway through the walk we will take a breather in Postman’s Park, an oasis of calm in the heart of the City, created as a lunchtime haven for postal workers in those long-forgotten days when the Post Office cared about its employees.

This walking tour is more than just a stroll – it’s a meaningful step towards a fairer, more equitable society. Advocate was founded in 1996 by Lord Goldsmith KC. Starting with only 150 volunteer barristers, demand for help meant that the charity grew quickly in strength and number. Today, Advocate works with over 4,000 barristers who volunteer and dedicate their time to members of the public who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay for legal assistance.

The demand for our services has increased more than ever. In January 2024, we received 348 new applications for help, the highest ever in the history of our organisation. We can only hope to meet this level of demand by sustaining our staff team, and staff costs make up 82% of our expenditure.

Advocate relies on the generosity of and determination of people like you to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, has access to the legal support they deserve.

Together, let’s walk towards a brighter, more equitable future – one step at a time.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St. Paul's Cathedral, Cheapside, London, United Kingdom