Our awards

Nottinghamshire Law Society's Annual Awards - Solicitor of the Year: Katie Smith

Nottinghamshire Law Society's Annual Awards - Business Support Champion: Carlota González Láynez

International Clio Reisman Awards 2023 - Legal Innovation category: runner up

NTU Team Excellence Award - winner

'Enriching Society' category

HE Innovate Awards 2022 - second place for the most innovative approach to developing employability skills

NLS Legal was awarded second place for the most innovative approach to developing employability skills at the 2022 HE Innovate Awards.

The HE Innovate Awards aim to recognise and reward the amazing innovation that academics and higher education professionals produce to teach and support their students.

Read more about the awards.

LexisNexis Legal Awards 2022 - Law Firm of the Year

Up against five private UK firms in the Lexis Nexis Legal Awards 2022, Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre received the top accolade for its commitment to supporting members of the local community with free and affordable legal advice.

Read more about the award.

Nottinghamshire Law Society Annual Awards - Junior Lawyer of the Year 2021: Alumni, Callum Scott​

LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2021 - Best Contribution by a Small or Medium Firm​

LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2021- Best Contribution by a Law School​

East Midlands Charity Awards - ‘Rising Star’ Volunteer – Jack Stuart and Volunteer Team Highly Commended 2020​

Modern Law Awards 2020 - Winners of ABS of the Year

The Legal Advice Centre was awarded ABS of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2020.  The Centre was the first of its kind when it was granted an ABS (Alternative Business Structure) licence to operate as a fully regulated law firm in 2015. Read more about the Modern Law Awards.

Modern Law Awards 2020 - Winner of Paralegal of the Year

Caseworker, Callum Scott, was awarded Paralegal of the Year for his positive contribution to the reputation of Paralegals and the legal profession. Callum said: “I am honoured to have won this award on a fantastic night for the Centre, and for Nottingham Law School. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of such a dedicated and inspiring team of Centre staff and student volunteers, and I have witnessed first-hand the tangible and long-lasting benefits the Centre’s work brings to our local communities. Whilst these awards are not the reason that we do what we do, I am delighted that the Centre’s achievements have been recognised on a national stage.”

Read the full article.

The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2019 – Runner-Up for Best Contribution by a Law School

The Legal Advice Centre was awarded Runner-Up in this hotly contested category for their efforts in recovering over £3 million in compensation and benefits for their clients in just five years. The Centre was also commended for providing over 320 students with opportunities to participate in their work and for assisting an impressive 449 individuals, businesses and organisations throughout 2017/2018. This included representation at 85 Social Security Tribunals, 14 Employment Tribunals and five County Court hearings.

The LawWorks and Attorney General Students Pro Bono Awards 2018 – Winners of the Law School Challenge

The Legal Advice Centre’s Student Pro Bono Committee won the award by raising more funds than any other Law School in support of pro bono charities. The Committee raised a total of £4,027 and were presented with a Platinum Award in view of the fact they had raised a record breaking amount for the Challenge. The Committee raised the funds predominantly through the sale of Nottingham Law School hoodies as well as bake sales and a quiz.

NTU Placement Employer of the Year 2017/2018

The Legal Advice Centre was nominated for this award by Lauren Kilbride who undertook her third year of her four year LLB (Sandwich) Degree with the Centre. Lauren credited the Centre and its staff for its commitment to developing her both professionally and personally. Lauren particularly commented on how the work in the Centre had improved her confidence and also her time management and organisational skills to prepare her for a life in practice.

NTSU Outstanding Teaching Award 2018

Helen O’Nions, NLS Senior Lecturer won the NTU Outstanding Research Supervisor award.

Amanda Rushby, NLS Senior Lecturer won the NLS Outstanding Teaching award.

Nottinghamshire law society awards - Solicitor of the Year 2017

Faye Deverell was awarded Solicitor of the Year 2017 by the Nottinghamshire Law Society for her commitment to social justice.

LawWorks Student Pro Bono Awards 2017 - Nomination for Best Contribution by an Individual Student Award, Billy Shaw, LLB (Hons) Law (full-time)

Billy Shaw was invited to the House of Commons to attend the LawWorks Student Pro Bono Awards.  Billy has trained as both a Student Adviser and ‘FRU’ Representative. He was one of only two Nottingham Law School LLB students to undertake tribunal representation in the Social Security Tribunal in summer 2016. He has represented seven clients in the Social Security Tribunal and recovered in excess of £74,000 in benefit entitlement.

Access to Justice Foundation Award 2016

The Legal Advice Centre was awarded the Access to Justice Foundation Award.

The inaugural Access to Justice Foundation Award recognises the work of individuals and educational bodies in promoting and supporting access to justice and charities that provide pro bono services.

“We were absolutely thrilled to win both awards as the competition was extremely high. It is great to be able to say we now have a multi-award-winning Law Centre as we continue to enhance our activities and move into new and much-needed areas of pro bono advice and assistance.”

Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker
Dean of Nottingham Law School

The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards 2016 - Best Contribution by a Law School

The Legal Advice Centre won this award for the Miscarriage for Justice Project and being the only Free Representation Unit (FRU) branch outside of London working with FRU London. The Centre has also developed significant partnerships with local advice agencies and a national NGO (the Environmental Law Foundation); engages in fundraising events such as the Legal Walk and the Great Legal Bake; and provides student support to the Nottingham Personal Support Unit and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum.

The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards 2016 - High commended Best Contribution by an Individual Student - Natasha Ward, LLB (Hons) Law (Full-time)

Natasha was a Student Adviser, who predominantly advised clients as part of the Legal Advice Centres outreach advice services. In August 2015, Natasha was recruited as joint project leader, and has since tirelessly organised and led the redeveloped Outreach Advice Project (‘the Project’). The Project is a student-led project that offers fortnightly drop-in sessions at two outreach locations based in Nottingham, the St George’s Community Centre in Netherfield and the Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Natasha showed an exceptional level of commitment to pro bono work during her time at Nottingham Law School and worked very effectively for both her clients and her fellow students while she was here. She made a great contribution to our work and was a highly deserving nominee for this award.

Nick Johnson
Previous Director of the Legal Advice Centre

The LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards 2016 - Runner up for Best New Student Pro Bono Activity

The Legal Advice Centre’s inFrinGeMent project was runner up for the best new student pro bono activity. The inFrinGeMent group works to educate communities, voluntary groups and professionals on how the law can be used for protection of victims and potential victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

We are privileged to work with an amazing group of dedicated and talented student volunteers in the Legal Advice Centre, and I am delighted that our student projects are getting national recognition.

Jenny Chapman
Deputy Dean, Nottingham Law School

Legal Education Provider of the Year 2016

Nottingham Law School has been awarded Legal Education Provider of the Year 2016 by the Solicitors Journal. The award was given in recognition of the School’s innovative teaching and commitment to social mobility and diversity. The School’s commitment to making legal careers more accessible involves working with a number of partners, such as the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law Scheme, Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scheme, and Aspiring Solicitors.