Human rights awards

The Human Rights Awards aim to recognise and encourage individuals and organisations whose work is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of others. Awards are made in three categories:

  • Human Rights Lawyer of the year (for solicitors, barristers, legal executives, trainees, pupils, legal academics and judges)
  • The Human Rights Award (for organisations and individuals)
  • The Peter Duffy Award* (for individuals (campaigners, lawyers, activists, academics etc) aged 35 or under)

*The Peter Duffy Award commemorates the life and achievements of one of the UK’s most highly dedicated human rights lawyers. Peter Duffy QC was particularly supportive of younger lawyers, giving freely of his time and skills. An important part of his human rights work was done pro bono for organisations, including JUSTICE.

2010 award winners

Human Rights Lawyer of the Year Award
Jules Carey (Tuckers Solicitors) - for unflagging energy and enthusiasm in demonstrating all the best qualities of a solicitor dedicated to innovative and difficult work in defence of civil liberties, most notably in Lotfi Raissi v Secretary of State for Justice.

Also shortlisted were: Danny Friedman (Matrix Chambers) and Philip Leach (London Metropolitan University)


Human Rights Award
Bail for Immigration Detainees - for its tireless work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable, marginalised and maligned sections of our community – from providing assistance to over 2,000 people held in immigration detention to the key Supreme Court cases SK and WL.

Also shortlisted were: Reprieve and the UK Human Rights Blog


Peter Duffy Award*
Tessa Hetherington (Matrix Chambers) - for playing an immensely important role in the hoped-for process of reforming the training and conduct of UK armed forces and interrogation personnel through her brilliant and extraordinarily hard work for the victims of the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry.

Also shortlisted were: Adam Weiss (AIRE Centre) and Tessa Gregory (Public Interest Lawyers)