*/
The winner of the 2016 Pro Bono Award, sponsored by the Bar Council, was announced at the conference. John Collins, of Zenith Chambers, has been at the Bar for six decades.
In the last five years alone, he has worked on 11 pro bono cases, including Ilott v Mitson [2015] EWCA Civ 797 and Bell v Northumbria Water [2016] EWHC 133. The award also acknowledged his influence and support in encouraging others to take on pro bono cases.
Collins was described by Lord Goldsmith, the Bar Pro Bono Unit President and Chair of the Award judging panel, as a ‘great ambassador’ for our profession. The Chairman of the Bar agreed it was a signal honour to be able to recognise and reward his time, knowledge and energy. Unfortunately, Collins was not able to be present, and the lost opportunity to catch sight of the great man was a disappointment to many in the audience who were craning their necks at this juncture. He did, however, pen some words that were shared with us.
Collins spoke of a time when this award would seem unnecessary, when ‘equality before the law, is not an idealistic declaration’, but something that everyone could access; when a lack of means should not mean that people were ‘prevented from protection, or defending, their rights’. These sobering and inspirational words struck a tangible chord with the audience.
In the last five years alone, he has worked on 11 pro bono cases, including Ilott v Mitson [2015] EWCA Civ 797 and Bell v Northumbria Water [2016] EWHC 133. The award also acknowledged his influence and support in encouraging others to take on pro bono cases.
Collins was described by Lord Goldsmith, the Bar Pro Bono Unit President and Chair of the Award judging panel, as a ‘great ambassador’ for our profession. The Chairman of the Bar agreed it was a signal honour to be able to recognise and reward his time, knowledge and energy. Unfortunately, Collins was not able to be present, and the lost opportunity to catch sight of the great man was a disappointment to many in the audience who were craning their necks at this juncture. He did, however, pen some words that were shared with us.
Collins spoke of a time when this award would seem unnecessary, when ‘equality before the law, is not an idealistic declaration’, but something that everyone could access; when a lack of means should not mean that people were ‘prevented from protection, or defending, their rights’. These sobering and inspirational words struck a tangible chord with the audience.
The winner of the 2016 Pro Bono Award, sponsored by the Bar Council, was announced at the conference. John Collins, of Zenith Chambers, has been at the Bar for six decades.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
Why Virtual Assistants Can Meet the Legal Profession’s Exacting Standards
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates
Many disabled barristers face entrenched obstacles to KC appointment – both procedural and systemic, writes Diego F Soto-Miranda
The proscribing of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act is an assault on the English language and on civil liberties, argues Paul Harris SC, founder of the Bar Human Rights Committee
For over three decades, the Bar Mock Trial Competition has boosted the skills, knowledge and confidence of tens of thousands of state school students – as sixth-form teacher Conor Duffy and Young Citizens’ Akasa Pradhan report
Suzie Miller’s latest play puts the legal system centre stage once more. Will it galvanise change? asks Rehna Azim
.tmb-carlisting.png?sfvrsn=c60e2f3d_1){kind=logo}
