LALY’s winners revealed

Civil liberties lawyer Raju Bhatt, of Bhatt Murphy, has been honoured for his work on inquests into deaths in custody at this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYs)—the annual Oscars for legal aid folk.

Bhatt was presented with the outstanding achievement award by Lord Justice McFarlane for his commitment to justice. His clients in relation to restraint-related deaths in custody have included the families of Roger Sylvester, Alton Manning, Ibrahima Sey and Shiji Lapite.

In May, Bhatt secured a success in the unsolved case of private investigator Daniel Morgan, who was murdered in a London car park in 1987, when home secretary Theresa May agreed to order a review of the role of police corruption in the case.

Announcing Bhatt’s award, compere John Howard said: “No one should ever underestimate the amount of dogged determination and sheer mettle a case like Morgan takes.”

Also honoured at this week’s 11th annual awards was Margaret Gordon of Christian Khan (criminal defence lawyer of the year), who acted for student Alfie Meadows, acquitted of violent disorder after suffering a serious head injury at an anti-fees protest. Awards were also given to Jane Hoyal of 1 Pump Court (legal aid barrister of the year); Tooks Chambers’ public and immigration barrister Leonie Hirst (newcomer, barrister); and family law solicitor Nadia Salam of GT Stewart (newcomer, lawyer);

Other winners included Colin Mackey of Churchers (family legal aid lawyer of the year); Russell Conway of Oliver Fisher (social and welfare lawyer of the year); Richard Nicholas of RMNJ Solicitors (mental health lawyer of the year); Hackney Law Centre’s Hilton von Herbert (immigration lawyer of the year);and Makin Dixon (legal aid firm/not-for-profit agency).