News - Aika Stephenson wins Young Solicitor of the Year Award

In her first day after leaving Downing Street with Tony Blair, Cherie Booth QC last night honoured her commitment to Legal Aid work and Legal Aid lawyers and presented awards at the the fifth annual Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards as chair of the judging panel.

The awards, organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, celebrate the work of lawyers who have dedicated their careers to protecting the rights of the poor and the powerless against the rich and powerful, and to working towards the goal that nobody should be unable to protect and enforce their rights just because they cannot afford a lawyer.

The ethnic minority lawyer Aika Stephenson won the Young Solicitor of the Year award. Aika not only works in the Youth Justice System, she has also founded Just For Kids Law. This organisation provides Youth Advocates for youngsters caught up in legal and quasi-legal proceedings, and trains lawyers and other advisers who work with young people. Aika said she was "shocked" that she won and reiterated her profound commitment to helping the kids caught up in the legal system and their negative portrayal in the media.

Anoher ethnic minority lawyer nominee was Abid Mahmood, of No 8 Chambers, in Birmingham, who was nominated in the Barrister of the Year category which was won by Jan Luba QC.

Alured Darlington who won the outstanding Achievement award has helped to develop a promotional video warning those in the Caribbean and in West Africa about the very serious risk to their lives, family and liberty of becoming drug mules. Alured paid tribute to his wife, Tass Darlington, who helped with the design of the video which is reported to have markedly reduced the number of mules in the Caribbean.

The full list of the winners were:

·         Young Solicitor (Sponsored by the Legal Services Commission): Aika Stephenson, Lawrence & Co Solicitors

·         Young Barrister (Sponsored by Natwest Legal Centre): Alison Gerry, Doughty Street Chambers