Uplifting awards

This year's Young Solicitors Group Pro Bono Awards were uplifting for many reasons, but not least for the fact that more nominations were received than in the past.

And it was generally considered by the judging panel that the quality of the work done was at an exceedingly high level.

The nominations were not generated by any one section of the profession - there was a wide range from the large commercial firms, to the high street practitioners, to inhouse legal teams.Awards are always unfair in one respect - that someone must win at the expense of someone else.

However, what these Gazette-sponsored awards illustrate to both the wider profession and to the public at large is just how much valuable voluntary work is offered by solicitors in this country.

All the award winners, all the finalists and indeed, all those who offer their time on a pro bono basis, can be ever more proud of that.Presenting the awards.

Lord Phillips of Sudbury, challenged lawyers to become involved in pro bono work not because of its marketing benefits, but because it is the right thing to do in the interests of justice.

He is to be commended for being passionate about that ideal.

However, it must be recognised that all firms - high street and large commercial practices alike - will find it difficult to allocate fee-earner time to pro bono endeavours.

That so many of the nominees for this year's awards are capable of combining the voluntary work with their fee-earning is a credit to both them and their employers.