This year’s LALY finalists include: the young barrister who founded Black Protest Legal Support; young law centre solicitor who won additional financial support to protect asylum seekers from destitution; lawyers who have brought multiple successful challenges over the British government’s refusal to relocate Afghan nationals at risk from the Taliban.
Legal Aid Practitioners Group is proud to announce the 28 individuals and six organisations selected by our panel of judges as finalists in the 21st Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards (see full list, below).
The winners in these 11 award categories will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 12 July 2023, along with the winner of the LALY23 Outstanding Achievement award, which is the highest honour the LALYs can give.
LAPG CEO Chris Minnoch says:
‘Choosing the finalists was a fiendishly difficult task for our judging panel this year, as the calibre of nominations was so high. The nominations are a testament to the professionalism, resilience and sheer brilliance of lawyers working in the social justice sector – who all deserve to be celebrated. We send our warmest congratulations to everyone shortlisted, and heartfelt commiserations to those who weren’t.’
The Legal Aid Newcomer award is always a highlight of the ceremony, and this year’s four finalists are:
Christian Weaver, Garden Court North, who acted for the family of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, the toddler who died after prolonged exposure to mould in the housing association flat where he lived with his family.
Danielle Manson, Garden Court Chambers, a criminal law barrister known for her expertise in defending children and young people, and praised as ‘a true justice warrior’.
Ife Thompson, 1MCB Chambers, described as a ‘movement lawyer’, and ‘important voice for racial justice in the criminal defence community’, who, alongside her practice, founded Black Protest Legal Support, ‘the first Black and Brown-led legal observing group’.
Josie Hicklin, Greater Manchester Law Centre, whose win in ‘CB’ will mean increased financial support for around 50,000 asylum-seekers to help them cope with the cost of living crisis.
The total of six organisations shortlisted in the Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency or Regional Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency include:
Central England Law Centre, which holds seven legal aid contracts, employs 65 staff, and opened 800 new cases last year.
Deighton Pierce Glynn, which has brought a string of successful judicial reviews for Afghan nationals wrongly refused relocation under the British government’s relocation schemes.
Fountain Solicitors, which has five offices across the UK, and is known for its immigration and asylum law work, including the successful Supreme Court challenge HA, over the role of family life in the UK in deportation cases.
