News - News - Call for Legal Aid Awards nominations

The Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) is calling for nominations for the sixth Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards, which celebrate the work of solicitors and barristers and other Legal Aid practitioners who have dedicated their careers to the service of some of the most vulnerable members of society.

LAPG Director Carol Storer said: “What better time to honour those who continue to advise people on their rights and represent them to ensure that those rights are meaningful. This is a chance for colleagues and local communities to honour the groups and individuals who continue to provide such an invaluable service.

“Every year we hear about the hard work, the dedication, the professionalism and the tenacity of the lawyers still carrying out Legal Aid work to ensure that the vulnerable members of our society have a voice. We look forward to receiving nominations that will as in previous years highlight that commitment.”

For the first time this year the Law Society is acting as overall sponsor. Nominations are being sought in nine categories:

• Criminal Defence – sponsored by Criminal Law Solicitors Association
• Mental Health – sponsored by Allen & Overy
• Family – sponsored by Resolution
• Legal Aid firm/not-for-profit-agency – sponsored by Matrix Chambers
• Young Solicitor – sponsored by Legal Services Commission
• Barrister – sponsored by the Bar Council
• Immigration and Asylum – sponsored by Anglia DNA
• Social and Welfare – sponsored by Trimega Labs
• Young Barrister – sponsored by Irwin Mitchell

The panel of judges, chaired once again by Cherie Booth QC, will also be making an award for Outstanding Achievement, which is sponsored by DG Legal. The media partner is Legal Action Group.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 31 October and the awards will be presented at a ceremony in London on 1 December. Nomination forms can be requested from the LAPG office on 020 7183 2269 or downloaded from the LAPG website at: www.lapg.co.uk.