2025 Bar Pro Bono Awards

(This year's winners pictured: Lottie Mallin-Martin, Iona Gallagher, Peter Carter KC, Adam Wagner KC, Jesse Crozier, and Sarah Akberet and Zeena Elhassan of Da'aro Youth Project. Photography by Studio Grey).

Advocate hold the Bar Pro Bono Awards annually to celebrate the remarkable pro bono contributions made by the Bar across England and Wales.

This year we received over 60 nominations across the different categories, paying tribute to all the incredible pro bono work happening across the Bar from pupils to KCs through to Chambers and cross-Bar initiatives.

Reflecting on why we hold the awards, Advocate Chairman Sharif Shivji KC opened the ceremony and said:

“The purpose of this evening is to recognise and celebrate the Bar’s extraordinary contribution to pro bono work. Without the Bar’s commitment, the practical delivery of justice in this country would be severely diminished… Over the past year, barristers and clerks across the country have stepped up to offer their skills and support wherever the interests of justice have demanded it.”

We then heard from former BBC newsreader and presenter Joanna Gosling, our compere for the night, speak from her own experience receiving pro bono support:

“As a recipient, it is hard to adequately say thank you when strangers have stepped up and given support that in cost terms is an amount you can't fathom. I found that quite overwhelming. But it’s not the pounds and pence that stay with you. It’s the feeling of arms being wrapped around that happens when someone you don’t know comes forward and says - I believe in you, I want to help you.”

The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, presented the International Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award. Reflecting on the awards, she said:

“Pro Bono work is vitally important. It provides crucial help for those facing legal issues, as well as benefiting legal professionals’ personal and professional development. I would like to recognise all the excellent winners and nominees. Your commitment and expertise supports countless people at home and abroad, as well as inspires your fellow professionals.”

Our many congratulations to this year’s winners for their outstanding work, and thank you to all this year’s nominees for their commitment to ensuring access to justice.

A special thank you to LexisNexis for being our headline sponsor, making this event possible for another year, and to Instant on IT for sponsoring our drinks reception. We would also like to thank Lincoln’s Inn for generously hosting.

(Sharif Shivji KC, Advocate Chairman, giving the opening address).

See the full list of winners and stay tuned for further announcements about the winners stories on our website and social media pages (LinkedIn, X and Bluesky).

 More about the Bar Pro Bono Awards.