SIXTH ANNUAL LEGAL AID AWARDS SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

The lawyer whose tireless work on behalf of cancer patients has led to increased availability of life-saving drugs on the NHS and a young solicitor who challenged a decision to reduce a rape victim's compensation because she had been drinking when she was attacked are among 29 finalists in the 2008 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.

The LALYs attracted a record number of entries this year. Finalists were selected by a panel chaired by Cherie Booth QC and judges included Polly Toynbee of the Guardian and Doreen Lawrence of the Stephen Lawrence Trust.

Yogi Amin, a partner at Irwin Mitchell, was shortlisted in the Social and Welfare category. He was at the forefront of the Herceptin case and in other cases involving victims of the 'postcode lottery'. As one client commented 'I cannot recommend Yogi enough'.

Debaleena Dasgupta of Fisher Meredith, who qualified in 2007, was chosen as a finalist in the Young Legal Aid Solicitor category. The judges were impressed with her work for a rape victim whose award from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority was reduced by 25% on the basis her drinking had contributed to the assault. Debaleena appealed the decision on grounds of indirect sex discrimination and the woman subsequently received the full amount.

Writing in support of Debaleena's nomination, her client wrote: 'I will never forget the impact she has made on my life. Rebuilding my career and my life will be much easier thanks to the money she helped me win and the confidence she has given me.'

Other finalists include Gwendolen Gwynn-Morgan of Bindmans LLP London in the Young Legal Aid Solicitor category, Julie Burton a mental health specialist in North Wales and in the legal aid firm/not for profit category, Switalskis Solicitors LLP with branches across West Yorkshire. The full list is below. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 1 December 2008.

QUOTE FROM CAROL STORER DIRECTOR OF LAPG.

'The Legal Aid Practitioners Group is delighted to announce the shortlists for the sixth Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards, which celebrate the work of solicitors, barristers and other legal aid practitioners who have dedicated their careers to the service of some of the most vulnerable members of society. We are absolutely delighted with the standard and number of entries. It is very humbling to read about the work carried out by these practitioners and the warmth with which they are described by fellow professionals and clients alike.'

NOTES FOR EDITORS.

1. LAPG is an independent grass roots movement, representing approximately 500 firms at the heart of the provision of publicly funded legal services. Website www.lapg.co.uk The awards are non-profit making.

2. Full list of finalists:

1 Criminal Defence Lawyer sponsored by Criminal Law Solicitors Association Craig Liversidge of Forbes Solicitors in Preston John Weate of RMNJ Solicitors in Birkenhead Zarina Gani of Gani and Co Solicitors in London

2 Family Legal Aid Lawyer sponsored by Resolution Samantha Little of Russell-Cooke Solicitors in Kingston Surrey Toni Moore of Adams Moore in Milton Keynes. Nigel Priestley of Ridley and Hall Solicitors in Huddersfield

3 Immigration Lawyer sponsored by Anglia DNA James Howard of Blakemores solicitors in Birmingham Kalvir Kaur works for the Immigration Advisory Service Jawaid Luqmani of Luqmani Thompson and Partners Sean McLoughlin from the Rights Partnership in Birmingham

4 Legal Aid Barrister sponsored by the Bar Council S Chelvan of Mitre House Chambers Robert Latham of Doughty Street Chambers Maya Sikand of Garden Court Chambers

5 Legal Aid Firm/Not-for-profit Agency sponsored by Matrix Chambers Davies Gore Lomax in Leeds Jackson and Canter in Liverpool Switalskis LLP in West Yorkshire

6 Mental Health Lawyer sponsored by Allen & Overy Julie Burton of Julie Burton Law, Gwynedd Andrew Howarth Terry Jones solicitors in Shrewsbury Sophy Miles of Miles and Partners London

7 Social and Welfare Lawyer sponsored by Trimega Labs Yogi Amin of Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield Mike McIlvaney the Community Law Partnership in Birmingham Dawn McPherson of Fisher Meredith in London

8 Young Legal Aid Barrister sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Felicity Williams at 6 Kings Bench Walk. John Beckley at Garden Court Chambers Ben McCormack of Garden Court North

9 Young Legal Aid Solicitor sponsored by Legal Services Commission Debaleena Dasgupta of Fisher Meredith London Gwendolen Gwynn-Morgan of Bindmans London Jo Hickman of Fisher Meredith London

The panel of judges will also be making an award for Outstanding Achievement, which is sponsored by DG Legal.

3. Full list of judges.

The judging panel was chaired by Cherie Booth QC. Other judges include: Roy Morgan (chair of LAPG); Mr Justice Andrew McFarlane QC; Doreen Lawrence of the Stephen Lawrence Trust; Yvonne Brown, former chair of the Black Solicitors Network; Rob Brown, former director of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association; Aika Stephenson, winner Young Legal Aid Solicitor award 2007; Fiona Bawdon, freelance legal journalist; Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist; Michael Kennedy, winner Mental Health Lawyer of the Year 2007; Wesley Gryk, Law Society council member for immigration.

4. Sponsorship For the first time this year the Law Society is acting as overall sponsor. The media partner is Legal Action Group. LAPG is grateful to all the sponsors of the LALYs.