Garden Court Chambers since 1974 – Looking forward to the next 50 Years

Over 50 years have passed since the formation of what was to become Garden Court Chambers, which has evolved into the largest set in London, recognised for our expertise and commitment to equality and human rights.

This event will celebrate the work we have done over the past 50 years to secure fundamental rights and bring about social change, and look forward to the next 50 years of how Garden Court will continue to further societal change, access to justice and legal support to our valued clients.

We will be displaying our publication, which highlights 50 of our cases over the years, and brings together a representative body of our work in a way we have never done before, and which serves to remind us of why we do what we do.

The publication is a tribute to our clients, the individuals and organisations whose courage and determination made these successes achievable. Many of these cases highlighted were only made possible due to public funding, which should be all the proof anyone needs of why legal aid is a vital pillar of the welfare state, and should be recognised as such.

In many of these cases – Hillsborough, Orgreave, Azelle Rodney, Birmingham Six – the path to justice has been long and uncertain, taking many decades. For some, like the families who lost relatives in the Birmingham pub bombings, it continues.

In the words of David Watkinson, one of our six founder members:

“We have always been in it for the long haul, rather than the shorter one. The forces of progress, like the forces of the establishment, go to and fro. So there’s progress to be made, even in the most disheartening circumstances.”

We hope this publication will inspire the next generation of lawyers and campaigners who will be defending equal rights, individual freedoms and justice for all in the next 50 years. These 50 cases are a testimony to the power of the law to secure justice for the vulnerable. They are also a much-needed reminder that, even in the most challenging times, progress is possible.

The evening will include speeches from those who are included in the publication, and have been integral members of Garden Court through the years.

We look forward to celebrating with you at this event on Friday 2nd of May 2025, from 6pm – 9pm.

This event is now fully booked.
In-person tickets are limited to the capacity of the venue. If you have registered, we will be back in touch to confirm with you soon to let you know if you have a confirmed place at this event.