James Clifford of Maitland Chambers was this year awarded a special mention in the 2008 Bar Pro Bono Awards for his work with the Free Representation Unit.

The Access to Justice in Afghanistan Project Team won the 2008 Sydney Elland Goldsmith Bar Pro Bono Award.  The five year project, completed in May 2008, has provided training for local lawyers, academics, NGOs and students, and sourced, bought and distributed 10,000 legal textbooks. Barristers have also provided training at annual workshops in Kabul, focussing on discrimination, violence against women, and the rule of law.

 

The Bar Pro Bono Unit was established by Lord Goldsmith QC, the Unit’s President, in May 1996 to provide pro bono legal advice and representation in deserving cases where public funding is not available or where the applicant is unable to afford legal assistance.

When judging the nominations the panel had regard to, among other matters and where applicable to the particular nomination, the following:

(a) the commitment of time by the barrister or chambers
(b) the importance of the assistance given
(c) innovation, inspiration or example in the work undertaken
(d) commitment to the pro bono ethic