Cherie Booth QC is stepping down as chair of the judging panel for the LALYs (the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards) after a nine-year stint.
Booth, who has too many commitments to continue in the role, once suffered a car crash on the way to the ceremony but still managed to make it.
Michael Mansfield QC will take over. Panel members include justice campaigner Doreen Lawrence OBE and Lord Justice (Andrew) McFarlane.
Nominations are being sought for the awards, now in their 10th year. The deadline is 27 April and the shortlist will be announced in May. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in central London in June.
Carol Storer, director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group and the awards organiser, said: “At a time when the legal aid scheme, particularly family, immigration and social and welfare law, is under threat as never before, these awards are more important than ever.”
LAPG website: http://www.lapg.co.uk/
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