The Halsbury Legal Awards, which celebrate excellence in the law across the entire legal profession, were presented by comic Miles Jupp at a gala celebration at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel in central London last night, Wednesday 16 September 2015.
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism David Anderson QC, and future-guru Professor Richard Susskind were the 2015 headline winners, with Professor Michael Zander QC warmly applauded for his lifetime contribution.
Dominic Grieve received the Rule of Law Award in recognition of his tireless and vocal support for human rights and his commitment to principle above party politics.
As Legal Personality of the Year, David Anderson was commended for his independence and headline-making reports in a ferociously difficult area, while Richard Susskind picked up the Future of Law Award for his ability to tap into the profession’s zeitgeist – predicting and riding a storm of change.
Speaking at last night’s awards, Christian Fleck, managing director for LexisNexis UK & Ireland, said: “The Halsbury Legal Awards are designed to champion truly exceptional achievements across all sections of the legal profession.
“We’re here not only to applaud the record-breaking achievements and commercial successes of the legal industry, but also to celebrate the spirit of Halsbury – the whole of the law and the legal community connected – encapsulated so well by tonight’s winners.
“Recognising and rewarding how we, as a profession, respond to the challenges facing the rule of law and access to justice at home and abroad puts these awards in a class of their own.”
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers and Ropewalk Chambers scooped the London and Regional Chambers of the Year Awards respectively, while the award for Law Firm of the Year (50+ employees) went to Brachers and Crossland Employment Solicitors scooped Law Firm of the Year (fewer than 50 employees).
The Innovation Award went to the National Archives for its revolutionary approach to managing and organising legislation while Just for Kids Law was honoured for its end to end commitment to children in crisis.
Emeritus Professor Andrew Ashworth QC was distinguished for his superlative Academic Contribution.
The full list of winners can be found at: www.halsburylegalawards.co.uk.