LALY awards

A Liverpool solicitor described by judges as “like a dog with a bone” in his work on behalf of families of Hillsborough victims has won recognition at Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYs), organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group.

Elkan Abrahamson, partner at Broudie Jackson Canter, received the award for Outstanding Achievement after he won a decision to hold a second inquest into the 1989 disaster.

The judges said: “Elkan’s award is testimony to that rare chemistry which can happen when a dogged and determined lawyer comes together with a courageous and tenacious client—and both are determined that, however long it takes, justice must be done and a terrible wrong righted.”

Matt Foot, solicitor at Birnberg Peirce, won Legal Champion for his campaign against legal aid cuts through the Justice Alliance.

The panel of judges included Lord Justice McFarlane, Sir Keir Starmer QC, Nicola Mackintosh QC (hon), solicitor Louise Christian, and former Justice director Roger Smith.

Mark Scott, partner at Bhatt Murphy, won Immigration/Asylum Lawyer for the unlawful killing verdict into the death of Jimmy Mubenga, who died after being restrained by G4S guards. 

Bindmans scooped two awards—Charlotte Haworth Hird won the Inquests/Actions Against State award for her work on a judicial review which led to an inquiry into deaths of 18-24 year olds in custody; Mike Schwarz won Criminal Defence Lawyer for his work exposing misconduct by undercover police officers.

Other winners included Ben Hoare Bell (Legal Aid Firm); S Chelvan of No 5 Chambers (Legal Aid Barrister); John Gallagher of Shelter (Housing); Maud Davis of TV Edwards (Family Legal Aid Lawyer); Caroline Bowden of Anthony Gold (Family Legal Aid Mediator); Douglas Johnson of Sheffield CAB and Law Centre (Social and welfare lawyer); and Camilla Graham-Wood of Birnberg Peirce (Legal Aid Newcomer).

Meanwhile, CILEx has awarded Saria Bashir, partner at BHB Law, its Pro Bono Award for her work with foreign prisoners at HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes.