NLS graduate Christian Weaver recognised as Barrister of the Year for outstanding pro bono work
By Emma Groman | Published on 11 December 2025
Categories: Alumni; Nottingham Law School;
Nottingham Law School (NLS) graduate Christian Weaver has been named Barrister of the Year at the 2025 Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards, recognising his exceptional commitment to public service, social justice, and accessible legal education. The award highlights a career that has combined legal excellence with sustained, meaningful community impact.
Christian completed both his LLB and Bar Professional Training Course at NLS, where he distinguished himself academically and contributed significantly to the School’s pro bono activities. He volunteered with the Law School’s on-campus law firm, NLS Legal, supporting individuals facing housing and employment challenges, reinforcing the School’s commitment to community-focused practical learning. He also received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award, the University’s highest student honour.
Since being called to the Bar, Christian has developed a prominent practice at Garden Court North Chambers. His work spans civil actions against public authorities, inquests, public inquiries, and public law, with a clear focus on representing individuals and families navigating complex interactions with state bodies. His advocacy is marked by a commitment to ensuring that those with limited resources can access the protections and remedies the law affords.
Since being called to the Bar, Christian has developed a prominent practice at Garden Court North Chambers. His work spans civil actions against public authorities, inquests, public inquiries, and public law, with a clear focus on representing individuals and families navigating complex interactions with state bodies. His advocacy is marked by a commitment to ensuring that those with limited resources can access the protections and remedies the law affords.
A defining element of Christian’s recent work has been his involvement in the case of Awaab Ishak, the two-year-old boy who died following prolonged exposure to mould in his home. Christian represented Awaab’s family through proceedings that prompted a national conversation about housing safety and contributed to the introduction of Awaab’s Law. The new legislation places enforceable requirements on social landlords to act swiftly when hazardous damp or mould is reported, reflecting systemic change driven in part by the family’s legal team. Christian has continued to support public understanding of the new law by explaining its implications for both tenants and landlords.
Christian’s pro bono practice was a central factor in the award recognition. He has devoted substantial time to representing families and individuals facing powerful institutions, often in emotionally difficult and legally complex contexts.
The families I’ve represented have shown me, very clearly, how damaging it can be when people can’t access the legal help they need. Pro bono work is one practical way I try to respond to that gap. It helps make sure that people facing powerful institutions have someone in their corner, regardless of their ability to pay. It also keeps me grounded in the reality of the system as people experience it day to day. When you see what individuals are dealing with, it reinforces the importance of making the law accessible and the need for a profession that recognises the barriers many people face.
Christian Weaver
Beyond his casework, Christian has become a prominent public educator. His project, The Law in 60 Seconds, uses short-form media and his published book to break down legal rights in an accessible and engaging format. The initiative has reached national audiences, helping thousands understand the fundamentals of everyday legal issues. Through this work, he has built a bridge between the legal profession and communities that often feel alienated from it.
NLS is proud to celebrate Christian’s achievement and the values his work represents. His career illustrates how legal skills, when paired with empathy and a commitment to social impact, can influence both individual lives and national policy. As his practice grows and his public education initiatives continue to expand, Christian remains an inspiring example of the impact that NLS graduates can make.