The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards - which are into their tenth year - are being launched this month. Once again, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group is calling for nominations in nine individual categories (see below). The judges will also be making an award for Outstanding Achievement.The categories are criminal defence lawyer, family legal aid lawyer, immigration lawyer, mental health lawyer, social welfare lawyer, young legal aid barrister, young legal aid solicitor, legal aid barrister and legal aid firm/not for profit agency.  A nomination form for the 2012 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards will be an insert in March and April 2012 Legal Action. Full details about the awards will also appear in both issues.The nomination period runs until 27 April. The award winners will be announced at a presentationceremony in London on June 12.  Put these dates in your diary and start thinking about who to nominate!  Legal Action is media sponsor of the 2012 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards