Michael Mansfield QC presented Lawrence, mother of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, with a special award, and praised her for having shown “amazing courage and tenacity in the face of appalling personal tragedy”. Her solicitor, Imran Khan, received an award for outstanding achievement.

Shu Shin Luh of Garden Court Chambers was named as young legal aid barrister of the year for her work with vulnerable children and adults. Leslie Thomas, also of Garden Court Chambers, whose work focuses on bringing claims against the police and prison authorities, and acting for bereaved families at inquests, won the award for legal aid barrister.