Barristers working for IKEA, the United Nations and the Royal Air Force are among those shortlisted for the Bar Council’s inaugural Employed Bar Awards.

The finalists in the category of employed barrister of the year are James Hanlon from IKEA, Camilla de Silva from the Serious Fraud Office and Nigel Povoas at the United Nations.

Others categories include young employed barrister of the year, employed advocate of the year, outstanding achievement by a public service barrister and outstanding achievement by a barrister in a corporate organisation or solicitors’ firm. A further award is made for outstanding performance by an HM Forces barrister.

The awards are the initiative of the Bar Council and its Employed Barristers’ Committee to acknowledge the success of employed barristers. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Tower of London on 30 June.