Finalists in this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards will be announced by Legal Aid Practitioners Group later this month.

LAPG CEO Chris Minnoch said: ‘Once again, the LALY nominations are a tribute to the life-changing, often life-saving work that legal aid lawyers do day in, day out that is too often undervalued and unrecognised. We understand the pressure the profession is under so want to thank everyone who took the time to make nominations or write in support of nominees because they want to celebrate social justice lawyers as much as we do. As ever, our LALY judges will have some tough calls to make.’

Finalists will be announced in the following 11 awards categories, covering every area of legal aid work:

The judges will also be making an award for Outstanding Achievement, for which there is no shortlist.

The LALY awards are organised by LAPG on a non-profit basis to celebrate the work of social justice lawyers and aim to recognise not just solicitors and barristers, but also support staff, case workers and paralegals.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 5 July. Tickets cost £15 to £45.

Minnoch added: ‘The ceremony is always the highlight of the legal aid year. If you are in need of a good night out with a group of inspiring and like-minded lawyers, I urge you to come along.’

This year’s sponsors are: