A Visit Rooted in Justice: Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP Returns to Toynbee Hall

A proud moment for Toynbee Hall as we welcomed Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, back to where her legal journey began, our Free Legal Advice Centre.

This wasn’t a formal visit with handshakes and speeches. Sarah spent time with the people who make Toynbee Hall what it is: volunteers, staff, and older East Londoners who’ve built a community here. She listened, connected, and reflected on the barriers still facing many of our clients.

For Sarah, this visit was deeply personal. As a young law student, she volunteered at Toynbee Hall, an experience that shaped her commitment to justice:

“Law here isn’t just something you read about. It’s something you do. It’s something you live.”

Sarah’s return was a powerful reminder of the impact of grassroots work. Her words underscored the value of pro bono support—and its limits:

“As valuable as pro bono is, it can never be a substitute for a properly resourced legal aid system.”

A Panel Rooted in Experience

The event brought together sector leaders including Alexandra Marks CBE (Chair of the Parole Board), Dana Denis-Smith OBE (Founder, First 100 Years), and Frances Carpenter (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP). Each speaker shared hard-earned insights on ethics, equity, and legacy in the legal field. Alexandra reminded us that pro bono must be delivered with the same care and quality as paid work:

“Your professional standards don’t drop because the work is unpaid.”

Dana honoured the women who paved the way—like Carrie Morrison, the first female solicitor—while Frances celebrated nearly a decade of partnership with Toynbee Hall’s Women’s Free Legal Advice Clinic:

“There are always more women needing help than we can serve. We need more clinics, and more firms stepping up.”

Check our YouTube Video of the event