Legal aid lawyers tackle some of the most difficult areas of law and dedicate their time and careers to helping those who need it most, coming up against unfair decisions and cripplingly low legal aid funding. With this in mind, the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards, known affectionately as the LALYs, were the perfect opportunity for all hardworking legal aid lawyers to be celebrated.1See Sue James’s report on the awards for full details of the winners.

YLAL was honoured to have been awarded the ‘winner of winners’ award (aka the WoW award) in the organisation category, with Marcia Willis Stewart QC (Hon) of Birnberg Peirce taking home the individual award. The WoW awards were a new addition this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the LALYs. Our belief is that YLAL’s award acknowledges our continued commitment to:

As the LALYs could be in person this year for the first time since 2019, our formidable founder, Dr Laura Janes, accepted the award on stage flanked by a number of current and previous committee members. It was a wonderful moment to share with all attendees, and we certainly hope that Laura’s passion and commitment are reflected in the YLAL of today.

Since its foundation in 2005, YLAL’s members have unflinchingly continued to challenge injustice. Seventeen years on, YLAL has grown from an idea hatched in the back room of an office to a fully-fledged organisation with more than 4,000 members. From our recent Third COVID-19 report (1 February 2022), assessing the continued impact of the pandemic and hybrid working on junior practitioners, to our submission to the government’s Human Rights Act 1998 reform consultation,2Human Rights Act reform: a modern Bill of Rights, CP 588, Ministry of Justice, 14 December 2021; closed 19 April 2022. in which we fundamentally opposed the repeal of the Act, YLAL continues to bang on the doors of decision-makers, armed with the concerns and needs of junior practitioners and clients.

Most recently, on 21 July, YLAL published a statement against the exploitative practice of providers not only refusing to pay students for qualifying work experience under the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination, but actually making them pay to work. YLAL believes that this is not only an unfair practice, but also a barrier to accessing the profession, with a negative impact on social mobility and diversity. It is time for those decision-makers to acknowledge how harmful this practice could be for the future of the legal aid sector and the passionate students attempting to forge a career in it. The lasting impact of this chilling effect would result in poorer quality legal help for clients across practice areas as those aspiring practitioners willing and able to help them are prevented from accessing the profession.

This is just one example of how much legal aid lawyers have to overcome to do the work that they do. It is clear that the fight is not over and it reinforces how important events such as the LALYs are in providing the opportunity for practitioners in the sector to come together, share insight and celebrate where we can.

YLAL is also proud that one of our long-standing committee members, Ciara Bartlam, won the legal aid newcomer award. Ciara is a deserving winner and we’re grateful to have her as part of YLAL, bringing her ideas, strength, and passion for promoting the legal aid sector and providing legal assistance to those who require it.

From us at YLAL, a huge congratulations to all of the amazing winners this year. Across the legal aid sector, our collective voices are important in ensuring a positive change for our clients and the fairer, better-funded system that we all strive for.