New Year Honours: lawyers featured prominently

Royal solicitor Fiona Shackleton - dubbed the 'steel magnolia' - led the way for lawyers recognised in last week's New Year Honours list.


Ms Shackleton, a family law partner with London firm Payne Hicks Beach, was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, in recognition of work done for the Royal Household and the Prince of Wales, whose divorce she handled. She is currently the solicitor to Prince William and Prince Harry.


Payne Hicks senior partner Graham Brown said he was delighted for Ms Shackleton. 'It's super to see her good professional work recognised in this way,' he added.


Barrister Huw Heycock, former Chief Crown Prosecutor for South Wales, received a CBE for his work leading for the Crown Prosecution Service on planning for the introduction of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. Solicitor Christopher Yule, until last year Chief Crown Prosecutor for Suffolk, and Crown prosecutor Yvonne Moreno, a barrister, also received OBEs.


There were also OBEs for solicitors Graham Hughes, who retires shortly as the Swansea land registrar; Clive Woolf, a consultant at London firm Collyer-Bristow, recognised for his long-standing pro bono work before the Privy Council on behalf of Caribbean death-row prisoners; and Sarah Cooke, who left as director of the British Institute of Human Rights last year, for services to human rights.


Ms Cooke said she was delighted and 'not a little humbled' by the award.


Robin Knowles QC of 3/4 South Square chambers received a CBE for services to pro bono work. Mr Knowles is vice-chairman of the Bar Pro Bono Unit.