*/
Pro bono
Sarah Hannett of Matrix Chambers has won the 17th annual Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award, which was presented at this year’s Bar Conference.
Hannett’s City University Matrix School Exclusion Project, which she founded in 2011, provides pro bono representation to parents of children who have been permanently excluded from school and has so far assisted 47 families. Lord Goldsmith QC, Chairman of the judging panel, praised the barrister for her “innovative approach to supporting young people in need” and her encouragement and inspiration of other barristers and students to take part.
Special commendations also went to Robert Banks, sole practitioner and author of Banks on Sentence, who “this year alone” has dealt with over 200 requests for help from prisoners, often meeting them directly; and to Rachel Barnes of Three Raymond Buildings, who was commended for her pro bono work on a death penalty appeal and representation of four people, against whom the UN Security Council has applied financial sanctions for alleged associations with Al-Qaida.
The judging panel said it was “amazed by the unprecedented number of nominations”, which doubled from 16 in 2012 to 33 this year. Referrals to the Bar’s Pro Bono Unit, which runs the award, have also markedly increased. Since the introduction of LASPO the Unit has seen a 30% increase in caseload compared to 2012. “It is getting worse by the month,” its Chief Executive, Rebecca Wilkie, told Counsel. “In October there has been a 40% increase compared to 2012 and November is looking to be even higher.”
Special commendations also went to Robert Banks, sole practitioner and author of Banks on Sentence, who “this year alone” has dealt with over 200 requests for help from prisoners, often meeting them directly; and to Rachel Barnes of Three Raymond Buildings, who was commended for her pro bono work on a death penalty appeal and representation of four people, against whom the UN Security Council has applied financial sanctions for alleged associations with Al-Qaida.
The judging panel said it was “amazed by the unprecedented number of nominations”, which doubled from 16 in 2012 to 33 this year. Referrals to the Bar’s Pro Bono Unit, which runs the award, have also markedly increased. Since the introduction of LASPO the Unit has seen a 30% increase in caseload compared to 2012. “It is getting worse by the month,” its Chief Executive, Rebecca Wilkie, told Counsel. “In October there has been a 40% increase compared to 2012 and November is looking to be even higher.”
Pro bono
Sarah Hannett of Matrix Chambers has won the 17th annual Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award, which was presented at this year’s Bar Conference.
Hannett’s City University Matrix School Exclusion Project, which she founded in 2011, provides pro bono representation to parents of children who have been permanently excluded from school and has so far assisted 47 families. Lord Goldsmith QC, Chairman of the judging panel, praised the barrister for her “innovative approach to supporting young people in need” and her encouragement and inspiration of other barristers and students to take part.
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Inés Rivera explains how speech recognition can help barristers create accurate documentation faster
What should barristers be doing on the personal finance front ahead of the end of the tax year on 5 April? Julian Morgan of Fleet Street Wealth answers your questions
Are you ready to embark on this arduous but potentially rewarding journey? Julie Gottlieb of Sherwood PSF Consulting provides a self-examination checklist, hints and tips to help you prepare for a future application
Unlocking your aged debt to augment cash flow in one easy step… By Philip N Bristow of Vector Professions Finance
The journey from a small village in Nepal to international law professor and UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights: Admas Habteslasie talks to Surya Subedi QC (Hon)
The Westminster Commission on Miscarriages of Justice, set up to revisit the work of the CCRC after 25 years of operation, identified serious issues that risk miscarriages of justice remaining unidentified or unremedied. By Edward Garnier QC Michelle Nelson QC
Unsparing in his criticism, the former Attorney General reflects on recent events in government and his own experience of being chief legal adviser. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Sports coaches will be caught by a change in the law that addresses the disparity in treatment for 16- to 17-year-olds, writes Cameron Brown QC
Ins Rivera explains how speech recognition can help barristers create accurate documentation faster