Among the 2021 winners were the student leaders of the Cardiff Innocence Project, which won the award for best contribution by a team of students, and The Protea Clinic at King's College London—a specialist service providing advice to vulnerable migrant females—which was recognised as best new pro bono activity. King’s student Amanda Ignatia, volunteer director of the Human Rights and Environment Legal Clinic, was selected for the best contribution by an individual, and Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre won best contribution by a law school. Bangor Law School took home the Access to Justice Foundation award.
The judging panel for the 2021 awards included former Law Society president Simon Davis, head of civil law policy at the Ministry of Justice Peter Farr, and Leanne Targett-Parker, chair of the Bar Council Pro Bono Committee.
The Attorney General Michael Ellis QC, who presented the awards, said: ‘I am thrilled to continue this valuable tradition alongside LawWorks to recognise and award the brilliant contributions to pro bono and public legal education by students across the country… I wish everyone involved the very best in their future endeavours, and offer my congratulations to all of the winners.’
LawWorks chair Alasdair Douglas, said: ‘LawWorks received a large number of high-calibre nominations and the quality and impact of the projects nominated was hugely impressive and inspiring—all those nominated or shortlisted deserve congratulations and appreciation for their work. The judges had a difficult task—but special congratulations to this year’s winners of the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards.’
James Harper, legal director of global projects and senior counsel for LexisNexis, which sponsored the awards, said: ‘Our business is all about the Rule of Law—it is in every product, tool and solution we provide. And so it is our privilege to continue our long-standing support for those students and law schools working to improve access to justice and advance the Rule of Law.
‘In such a challenging year, it was incredible to see such a range of high quality, innovative and inspiring entries. Our congratulations go to the winners and to all those nominated, with our heartfelt thanks for all they do in delivering vital pro bono work across the country!’
