Nine barristers’ chambers received the Friends in Law special award in recognition of their support of the Bar Pro Bono Unit (BPBU) and Free Representation Unit (FRU).

The 2016 recipients of the Friends in Law award were Devereux Chambers, 12 King’s Bench Walk, Keating Chambers, 3 Verulam Buildings and 5RB.

In addition, One Crown Office Row, 11KBW, One Essex Court and 3-4 South Square were conferred with special Platinum Friends in Law awards to mark their significant financial contributions to both charities.

Friends in Law is a joint initiative between the FRU and the BPBU that recognises the financial contributions made by chambers to both organisations, neither of which receive government funding and rely solely on donations of the legal profession in order to continue their work.

This year was the seventh year that the scheme has been in operation.The chambers received their awards at a ceremony at the Inner Temple.

Presenting them, the Bar Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said: ‘The FRU and BPBU have critical roles to play in providing representation and help to people at a time when access to justice is so limited.’

She said: ‘The financial support given to both organisations enables this work to continue. We recognise in addition to financial support the many hours of pro bono work undertaken by barristers within the sets. This successful collaboration allows people to access justice who otherwise would find it difficult to do so.’