DIVERSITY: Bethany (Bookings Planner) recently stepped into a new role as a Wellbeing Ambassador within the company. She was nominated for her enthusiasm, proactiveness, solutions based approach and "going above and beyond to try and support those around her".

COURAGE: Aqsah was nominated for her timely interventions with an unrepresented defendant with considerable needs who was asked to reconsider their plea ‘on the spot’. Her recommendations impressed the judge and ensured the defendant could make an informed decision about the progress of their trial.

COLLABORATION: The report update group (10 out of 12 pictured!) took the trophy for their collective efforts in rethinking our approach to assessment reports, a feat of collaboration which in itself assists our intermediaries to more effectively share our findings and recommendations with the court.

INNOVATION: Rebecca is well known for her quick-thinking strategies for simplifying the nuances of legal advice. She was nominated for her ingenious everyday analogy which assisted a defendant to grasp how raising a particular point may be perceived by the jury and the implications this could have.

RESPECT: Gabrielle was nominated for her sensitive and effective interventions when working with a Family court user who reported significant significant trauma. The court user and their counsel had nothing but praise for Gabrielle's professionalism, consideration, and skill.

You can find out more about why we have chosen to sponsor this event, and find out what intermediaries think of Legal Aid practitioners on the Communicourt blog! https://www.communicourt.co.uk/news/were-sponsoring-the-legal-aid-lawer-of-the-year-awards-laly25/

This year we're sponsoring the Criminal Defence category. Very good luck to the finalists, Manisha Knights (MK Law), Emma McClure (SL5 Legal) and Georgia Patterson (TV Edwards Solicitors).

.@WeAreLAPG is proud to announce 📢 the 30 finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. For an insight into the doggedness 🐶& brilliance 🌟of lawyers at the social justice coalface, look no further than our #LALY25 shortlist.......
lapg.co.uk/lapg-announc...

CC @wearelapg.bsky.social

Learn more about communication and mental health in legal proceedings. The Access Brief is home to guides & resources on topics ranging from representing someone with anxiety, depression or emotional regulation difficulties: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/the-access-brief/

Both mental health conditions and communication needs are more prevalent among defendants and respondents in legal proceedings (and other court users). So, it's important to be aware of the ways these areas of difficulty can impact, influence and sometimes exacerbate each other.