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We are thrilled to reveal that Duncan Lewis Solicitors has won two gongs at the Modern Law Awards 2023, including the Law Firm of the Year.

Public law caseworker Manini Menon also saw off tough competition to win the Paralegal of the Year award, for her work on the Rwanda Challenge, at a glitzy ceremony in the Hurlingham Club, Fulham, hosted by Dominic Holland.

These remarkable wins are testament to the dedication of the whole team at Duncan Lewis and its commitment to upholding the rule of law and supporting the most vulnerable in society.

In handing the Law Firm of the Year award to Duncan Lewis, judges acknowledged the vital work undertaken by the team across a whole range of cases in numerous fields.

One highlight was the public law team’s grounding of the first scheduled flight to Rwanda after all the intended passengers were removed from it thanks to an urgent pro bono application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

However, judges took into account the far-reaching impact of numerous high profile cases across Duncan Lewis, not only on the law itself, but for future clients of any firm, many of whom are too often denied access to legal services, and therefore a voice.

They also recognised the continued company-wide commitment to staff training and development, to its impressive diversity and inclusion, and the incredible amount of community and pro bono work undertaken by the team.

In handing the award for Paralegal of the Year award to Manini Menon, the judges accepted that her dedication to her work within the public law team was exceptional.

It was noted that, with just a few short months behind her - having joined Duncan Lewis in January 2022 - she was thrown in at the deep and placed on the Rwanda removal plan challenge. This was a case that would involve around the clock applications, a high level of media attention, death threats, government criticism and a last ditch application to the ECtHR.

In our submission, her director Toufique Hossain said it was “astounding how quickly she adapted to the demands of public law life, especially in the face of such a high profile case. She has quickly become an indispensable part of the team.”

Duncan Lewis is a Times top 200 law firm representing legal aid and private clients in 25 areas of law from offices throughout England and Wales.

As acknowledged by judges at the Modern Law awards, the company has shown a commitment to continued growth, exemplary service along with the training, well-being and progression of its team.

Duncan Lewis remains committed to diversity, training and staff progression. Currently, 70% of our workforce is female and 50% BAME. Unlike most of the legal industry, 65% of our directors are female, with 45% BAME. This diversity reflects our client base, in turn enabling them to feel at ease when speaking about their case, which thanks to our diverse workforce they can do in more than 60 languages.

The company is Law Society Lexcel and Investors in People Gold accredited and regularly recognised as an ‘outstanding firm’, with 14 key offices across London and the UK.

Viewed as a top-tier law firm in the Legal 500 2023 legal directory that fields “a thorough, knowledgeable and professional team” we offer specialist solicitors in actions against public authorities, commercial & company, child care, civil liberties & human rights, civil litigation, clinical negligence, court of protection, crime, cross-border disputes, education law, employment, family, high net-worth divorce, housing, immigration, personal injury, public law and wills & probate.

To find out more about our services visit the Duncan Lewis Solicitors website.

For advice in any legal matter contact us via email at contact@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 020 3114 1260.