News 12 February 2026

From legal aid to rooftop beehives: responsible business in action at Russell-Cooke

A year of practical action shaping justice, opportunity and sustainability

James Carroll

2 min Read

Russell-Cooke has published its Responsible Business Report 2025-26, showcasing how the firm’s values translate into action across its legal work, workplace culture and community engagement.

The report brings together activity spanning environmental sustainability, access to justice, social mobility and community involvement, reflecting Russell-Cooke’s belief that responsible business is achieved through consistent, thoughtful action.

From its position as one of the few Top 100 UK law firms to hold a legal aid contract, to initiatives such as rooftop beehives, the Cycle to Work scheme and firmwide volunteering, the report illustrates how responsibility is embedded across the firm’s operations and decision-making.

Key themes and highlights from the 2025-26 report include:

Access to justice. Continued commitment to legal aid and public legal education, including partnership work with the Birth Trauma Association and the development of accessible resources such as the Gender Equality Law Hub and the West London Family Court Information website, each supporting individuals and organisations navigating complex legal issues.
Environmental responsibility. Practical measures to reduce environmental impact across the firm’s offices, including improvements to energy and water efficiency, encouragement of low-carbon travel through the Cycle to Work scheme, and ongoing biodiversity initiatives such as the firm’s rooftop Buckfast bee colonies.
Our people and widening opportunity. Measurable progress in widening access to the profession, with 82% of the incoming trainee cohort educated at UK state schools, alongside the introduction of alternative qualification routes including Qualifying Work Experience pathways and exploring solicitor apprenticeships.
Community engagement. Growth of the firmwide volunteering scheme, enabling colleagues to contribute time and skills to charities and community organisations, alongside long-standing partnerships such as that with the Ethical Property Foundation.

The report features case studies and reflections from colleagues and partner organisations, demonstrating how legal expertise and professional skills can be used to generate positive social impact.

Responsible business is integral to how we operate our business and practise law at Russell-Cooke. This report reflects the everyday actions of people across the firm, from delivering legal aid and improving access to justice, to supporting environmental sustainability and local communities, and shows how those actions combine to create lasting impact.

Our approach is grounded in the belief that responsibility is built through steady progress. The initiatives captured in this report demonstrate how thoughtful, practical steps can make a meaningful difference for our clients, our people and the communities we work with.

James Carroll • Managing Partner

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