Congratulations to the winners and shortlisted organisations at this year’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Winner of the inaugural Access to Justice through IT award, sponsored by the Legal Education Foundation, was the Royal Courts of Justice CAB for its work with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to develop CourtNav, an on-line tool for people going through the civil or family court without a lawyer.

The Foundation was delighted to sponsor this new award as part of our work to explore the role that technology can play in legal education and the provision of legal services.

Notable other winners and shortlisted finalists included five organisations that are hosting Justice First Fellows, the Foundation’s scheme to support the next generation of social welfare lawyers:

• Central England Law Centre (Legal Aid Firm / NFP of the year)
• Noel Arnold, Coram Children’s Legal Centre (Children’s Rights Lawyer of the Year)
• Public Law Project (Outstanding Achievement)
• Michael Spencer, Child Poverty Action Group (Social and Welfare Lawyer of the Year)
• Deighton Pierce Glynn (in multiple categories)

It looks like our Justice First Fellows are in safe hands. Many congratulations to everyone.