Bar Pro Bono Awards 

Kindly sponsored by LexisNexis
 

Advocate are delighted to open nominations for the 2026 Bar Pro Bono Awards taking place on Tuesday 19^th May 2026.

Please download the nominations form here and return it with two supporting letters to awards@weareadvocate.org.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 30^th January 2026.

Since 1997, the Bar Pro Bono Awards have been a unique opportunity in the legal calendar to celebrate the remarkable pro bono achievements of the Bar in England and Wales.

Each year, the awards shine a light on the exceptional pro bono work carried out by barristers. As we celebrate our 30^th anniversary in 2026, we are especially eager to recognise and thank the Bar for its continued dedication to helping those most in need.

We have nine award categories:

• Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year - sponsored by Place Campbell
• Junior Pro Bono Barrister of the Year – sponsored by Westgate Wealth Management
• Pro Bono KC of the Year – sponsored by Hewetson & Co
• International Pro Bono Barrister of the Year - sponsored by Ankura
• Pro Bono Chambers' Professional of the Year - sponsored by IBC and LPMA
• Pro Bono Chambers of the Year - sponsored by ABC Chambers Solutions
• Lifetime Achievement in Pro Bono, the Sydney Elland Goldsmith Award
• Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year
• John Collins Pro Bono Excellence Award

Our 2026 judges are:

·       Heidi Stonecliffe KC, Vice-Chair of the Bar in 2026

·       Lord Goldsmith KC, Founder and President of Advocate

·       Lord Justice Zacaroli, Court of Appeal Judge

·       The Hon. Mrs Justice McGowan, High Court Judge

·       Amelia Clegg, Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee in 2026

·       Sheila Collins, widow of the late John Collins

·       Alison Crosland, Co-Chair of the Legal Practice Management Association (LPMA)

·       Marina Faggionato, Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee

·       Chris Minnoch, CEO of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group

·       Dave Scothern, Chair of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks

·       Samantha Singer, Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee

·       Will Tolcher, Globel Editor Legal 500

·       James Whiting, Co-Chair of the LPMA

With thanks to Instant On IT for sponsoring our drinks reception.

View the full list of the winners of the 2025 Bar Pro Bono Awards and see the coverage in COUNSEL magazine. You can also read about the full list of shortlisted nominees in this year's virtual brochure. See our full list of past winners. 

For any queries about the awards, please contact awards@weareadvocate.org.uk.