Pro-Bono Legal Clinic Launches for Cycling Accident Victims in East London

A pioneering pro-bono legal clinic dedicated exclusively to cycling accident victims has opened its doors in Stratford, East London, offering free legal advice and representation to injured cyclists who might otherwise be unable to access justice. The East London Cycling Law Clinic, based at the Stratford Advice Ark on the Broadway, is the first of its kind in the capital and has been established through a partnership between the London Cycling Campaign, the Law Society's pro bono division, and three City law firms.

Addressing a Growing Need

The clinic's launch comes amid a sharp increase in cycling casualties across East London. Transport for London data shows that cycling collisions in the boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Waltham Forest rose by 28 per cent in the past two years, driven in part by increased cycling uptake following the expansion of protected cycle lanes and the Santander Cycles docking network.

"Many of the cyclists we see are key workers — delivery riders, NHS staff, teachers — who simply cannot afford legal representation," said clinic director and barrister Amira Hassan. "They've been knocked off their bikes by drivers, suffered broken bones and head injuries, and then find themselves navigating a bewildering claims process alone while insurers run rings around them. This clinic exists to level the playing field."

Services Offered

The clinic operates every Wednesday and Saturday and offers a comprehensive range of services including initial case assessment, evidence gathering guidance, liaison with police and insurers, personal injury claim support, and representation at court hearings where necessary. Volunteer solicitors and barristers from Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, and Allen & Overy staff the clinic on a rotating basis, supervised by experienced personal injury practitioners.

Emily Thornberry, a senior associate at Clifford Chance who volunteers at the clinic, said: "There's an enormous unmet need. In our first month alone, we took on 34 cases. Many of these cyclists had valid claims worth thousands of pounds but had either given up or accepted derisory offers because they didn't understand their rights. One delivery rider had been offered just £800 for a fractured collarbone that kept him off work for four months — we're now pursuing a claim that we expect to settle for significantly more."

Cycling Safety in East London

The clinic's location in Stratford is deliberate. The borough of Newham consistently ranks among London's most dangerous for cyclists, with inadequate cycling infrastructure on many major routes. The A11 Stratford High Street, the A118 Romford Road, and the A13 Newham Way are all identified as high-risk corridors by TfL's collision data mapping. Newham Council has committed to installing 15 kilometres of new protected cycle lanes by 2028, but campaigners argue the pace of change is too slow.

A Model for Other Boroughs

London Cycling Campaign chief executive Dr Ashok Sinha hopes the Stratford clinic will serve as a template for similar services across London. "Access to justice should not depend on your postcode or your bank balance," he said. "We are already in discussions with partners in Croydon, Brent, and Enfield about establishing satellite clinics. Every cyclist who is injured on London's roads deserves proper legal support, and we intend to make that a reality." The clinic can be contacted through the London Cycling Campaign website or by visiting the Stratford Advice Ark during opening hours.