Cathy Jaquiss awarded Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2020

News

Chambers was very happy to have celebrated the last two awards being announced from the Bar Pro Bono Awards 2020 on 21st November 2020 at the Bar Conference, hosted online by Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar Council.

In particular, Chambers is delighted to congratulate Catherine Jaquiss, who was awarded joint winner in the ‘Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year’ category. Catherinewas celebrated for her drafting submissions intended to be lodged withthe UN Human Rights Council to highlight the suffering of stranded refugees in Lesvos, after a fire destroyed their camp. The Chair of Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid (FENIX), an NGO supporting refugees in Camp Moria, Lesvos, described Catherine’scontribution as “invaluable”. She has been supporting FENIX for the last year, assisting refugee families who wish to be reunited.  They are incredibly grateful to Catherine for her time and effort and impressed with the quality of her work. Catherine has also recently assisted in drafting submissions to the Romanian Constitutional Court, advocating to quash a law which contravenes international human rights norms and poses particular dangers to the rights of trans people.Catherine’spro bono work also includes extensive support to Bail for Immigration Detainees, the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group and the Trans Equality Legal Initiative, which she co-founded.

Congratulations also to the two other joint winners and all those nominated, including Lawrence Youssefian in the same category. Youcan read about Chambers’ other successes at these awards, including winning ‘Pro Bono Chambers of the Year’ here.

Advocate and the awards ceremony showcase such important work across the Bar, essential for ensuring access to justice for all. Chambers would also like to thank Julia Needham, who is Chambers’ Pro Bono Champion for Advocate for all of her hard work in encouraging members and staff in Chambers to get involved in pro bono work.

You can also access the Awards brochure here, which gives further details for each of the nominations.


 

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