Access to Justice in Afghanistan project team wins Pro Bono Award 2008
THE Access to Justice in Afghanistan Project Team has won the 2008 Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award.
The five year project, completed in May 2008, has provided training for local lawyers, academics, NGOs and students, and sourced, bought and distributed 10,000 legal textbooks. Barristers have also provided training at annual workshops in Kabul, focussing on discrimination, violence against women, and the rule of law.
The Award was be presented by Lord Bingham of Cornhill.
The Panel of Judges
- Lord Goldsmith QC (Chairman of the judging panel)
- David Hobart, Chief Executive of the Bar Council
- Des Hudson, Chief Executive of The Law Society
- Steve Johnson, Chief Executive of Advice UK
- Gary Brown, Chair of Institute of Barristers’ Clerks
- Diane Burleigh, Chief Executive of ILEX
Commenting on the panel’s decision, Lord Goldsmith QC said: “As always it is humbling to see the level of commitment done by so many … my admiration and appreciation to those who do so much hard and unpaid work in the interests of justice.”
The Access to Justice in Afghanistan Project has been a magnificent example of inter chambers work, delivering long term benefits to an area of the world desperately in need of support to its lawyers and legal system and legal infrastructure. The panel was particularly impressed with the long term nature of the project (5 years) and the commitment required by those supporting it.“
