Access To Justice In Afghanistan Projecy Team Wins Pro Bono Award 2008
1 November 2008
The Access to Justice in Afghanistan Project Team has won the 2008 Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award.
The five year project, completed in May 2008, has provided training for local lawyers, academics, NGOs and students, and sourced, bought and distributed 10,000 legal textbooks. Barristers have also provided training at annual workshops in Kabul, focussing on discrimination, violence against women, and the rule of law.
The Award will be presented by Lord Bingham of Cornhill.
The Panel of Judges
- Lord Goldsmith QC (Chairman of the judging panel)
- David Hobart, Chief Executive of the Bar Council
- Des Hudson, Chief Executive of The Law Society
- Steve Johnson, Chief Executive of Advice UK
- Gary Brown, Chair of Institute of Barristers’ Clerks
- Diane Burleigh, Chief Executive of ILEX
Commenting on the panel’s decision, Lord Goldsmith QC said:
“As always it is humbling to see the level of commitment done by so many … my admiration and appreciation to those who do so much hard and unpaid work in the interests of justice.”
“The Access to Justice in Afghanistan Project has been a magnificent example of inter chambers work, delivering long term benefits to an area of the world desperately in need of support to its lawyers and legal system and legal infrastructure. The panel was particularly impressed with the long term nature of the project (5 years) and the commitment required by those supporting it. “
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors
1. The Bar Pro Bono Unit was established by Lord Goldsmith QC, the Unit’s President, in May 1996 to provide pro bono – free – legal advice and representation in deserving cases where public funding (Legal Aid) is not available or where the applicant is unable to afford legal assistance.
2. The Bar Pro Bono Award is named after Sydney Elland Goldsmith, the late father of Peter Goldsmith QC, who died in 1995 during Peter Goldsmith’s year of tenure as Bar Chairman.
3. Special mention this year was given to John Cooper of 25 Bedford Row for providing pro bono assistance for families of soldiers killed in Iraq and in the UK, and James Clifford of Maitland Chambers for his work with the Free Representation Unit.
4. When judging the nominations the panel had regard to, among other matters and where applicable to the particular nomination, the followin
(a) the commitment of time by the barrister or chambers
(b) the importance of the assistance given
(c) innovation, inspiration or example in the work undertaken
(d) commitment to the pro bono ethic
5. Previous winners:
2007 Guy Opperman (3 Paper Buildings) - For his long and sustained commitment to pro bono work provided through the Western Circuit Free Representation Unit.
2006 Michael Fordham QC (Blackstone Chambers) - For longstanding commitment to pro bono work, regularly devoting an estimated 20% of his billable hours on pro bono work.
2005 Keir Starmer QC (Doughty Street Chambers) - For sustained cross-jurisdictional campaigns against the death penalty
2004 Andrew Hall QC (Doughty Street Chambers) – For his work to develop and promote legal training, resources and expertise throughout East and Central Africa.
2003 John Horan (Cloisters Chambers) – For his contribution to the work of Islington Law Centre.
2002 Samantha Knights (3-4 South Square) - For her contribution to the work of Islington Law Centre.
2001 Simon Michael (Bedford Chambers) - For his work with Victim Support Bedfordshire Road Traffic Service and for establishing an innovative pro bono scheme in the Bedfordshire and Luton Coroner’s Court.
2000 Daniel Leader and Philippa Page - For pro bono work in Kenya, where for a year they worked alongside a group of Kenyan Lawyers in setting up two Legal Aid Clinics in Nairobi and Mombasa.
6. The award will be presented on Saturday 1 November at the Bar Conference, at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
