Bar Pro Bono Awards 

Kindly sponsored by LexisNexis
 

The 2026 Bar Pro Bono Awards took place at Inner Temple on 19th May 2026. View this year's winners.

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. 

This year’s awards were particularly special as we marked our 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of supporting access to justice through the Bar’s longstanding commitment to pro bono work.

View the 2026 Bar Pro Bono Award winners.

We had 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 were:

·       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

·    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

Find out more about the 2026 Bar Pro Bono Awards, including this year's shortlisted nominees, in the event brochure.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the 2026 Bar Conference.

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

See our full list of past winners. 

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