Solicitors battling the British and US governments over anti-terrorism measures scooped the annual major human rights awards last week.

Birmingham-based Phil Shiner was named as the Liberty/Justice human rights lawyer of the year for his work in taking test cases on behalf of Iraqi civilians allegedly tortured or killed by British armed forces in Iraq.


And two London-based solicitors &150; Gareth Peirce and Louise Christian &150; were given special awards for their attempts to gain access to and represent clients held under anti-terrorism legislation at Belmarsh Prison in the UK and at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.


Mr Shiner was commended for 'outstanding skill and tenacity' in taking the test cases and for 'personal sacrifice and professional dedication'.


Ms Peirce was recognised for acting on a pro bono basis for the families of several detainees at Belmarsh, who are being held without trial or charge. Ms Christian was hailed 'for actively campaigning in the US and the UK' to keep the cases of British detainees held at Guantanamo in the public eye.


Winning the human rights award at the ceremony at the Law Society in London was the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition for its work on behalf of what the judges described as 'some of the most socially excluded groups in the UK'.


And the Peter Duffy Award &150; which goes to a young person who is not necessarily a lawyer &150; went to Carolina Gottardo. Ms Gottardo manages the British Institute of Human Rights's outreach programme for her work with people with mental health problems, the disabled and refugees.