LAPG announces the 29 individuals and organisations shortlisted for this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.

A solicitor fighting for compensation for Windrush victims; a Bristol-based barrister with unique expertise in Welsh law; and two law centres both celebrating 50 years of delivering justice to their local communities are among the finalists in the 2026 LALY awards.
The LALY awards, now into their 24th year, are organised by Legal Aid Practitioners Group on a not-for-profit basis to celebrate the work of those on the social justice frontline. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 3 July.

See below for full list of finalists.

Chris Minnoch, LAPG CEO, says:

‘The finalists selected by the LALY judges give a snapshot of the range and calibre of work being done by coalface legal aid lawyers. At a time when the rule of law and access to justice are under threat as never before, their work is more important than ever. The LALY judges had some incredibly tough decisions to make as the standard of entries is extraordinarily high, and everyone at Team LALY sends their warmest congratulations to all the finalists. We are delighted to be able to continue to celebrate the life-changing work that you and legal aid lawyers across the board are doing.’

LALY26 finalists include:

• Van Ferguson, an immigration solicitor at Southwark Law Centre, who has won more than £780,000 compensation for Windrush victims; and brought a successful public law challenge over the lack of legal aid for these claims.

Van is shortlisted in the Social Welfare Law category, along with: Ashley Bradley, a court of protection solicitor at Leeds-based MJC Law; and Lizan Ghafoor, a community care solicitor at Wilsons Solicitors in Tottenham, north London.

• David Gardner, a public law barrister at No 5 Chambers in Bristol, known for representing children and vulnerable people, who challenged the Welsh Minister’s decision to end free school meals support during school holidays.

David is a finalist in the Legal Aid Barrister category, along with: James Holmes, a children’s law and court of protection barrister at Garden Court Chambers; and Karen Kabweru-Namulemu, a family barrister at 1GC Family Law.

• In contention for the Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency award are Bristol Law Centre and Central England Law Centres, which were both founded around half a century ago and continue to play a vital role in their local communities; along with London and Colchester-based Coram Children’s Legal Centre, which is known for its groundbreaking work protecting the rights of children and young people.

LALY26 finalists in full

The LALY awards are only possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters:

Tickets for 3 July ceremony here: lapg.co.uk/laly-tickets

LAPG, 14 May 2026