Travers Smith LLP is delighted to have been awarded "UK Pro Bono Initiative" at the Legal 500 ESG Awards 2025.
Travers Smith was recognised for its racial justice work with JUSTICE (cross party law reform and human rights charity).
The winning initiative was an extensive research project which aimed to identify and analyse relevant laws, procedures, guidance, and statistics that relate to and/or impact Black, Brown and racialised girls and young women in the criminal justice system. The aim was to identify any gaps in research and data, consider further practical recommendations that could be adopted to improve their experiences, reduce levels of discrimination, and ensure that they receive the required help and support. Topics covered include domestic abuse, modern slavery, arrests, custody and remand, safeguarding and diversion programmes. This was the firm's largest pro bono project to date, comprising over 3,500 hours from 70 Travers Smith lawyers resulting in five reports (712 pages).
The research confirmed there is a stark dearth of publicly available ethnicity data across the Criminal Justice System and, in particular, in relation to PREVENT referrals (part of the government's counter-terrorism strategy). Travers Smith assisted JUSTICE in challenging the refusal of two large police forces to release ethnicity and other data relating to their PREVENT referrals in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This culminated in two appeals of ICO decisions upholding the police forces' refusals to the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights).
Travers Smith were involved in all aspects of the appeals including researching the issues and context around PREVENT, preparing the initial FOIA requests, drafting the challenges to the Police Forces' and ICO's decisions, briefing and liaising with Counsel (Estelle Dehon KC and John Fitzsimons of Cornerstone Barristers), shaping strategy, preparing the evidence including witness statements, liaising with the ICO's solicitor and the Tribunal, familiarising the witnesses and preparing for and hosting the (remote) hearing of the appeals.
Sam Cottman, Head of Pro Bono at Travers Smith, commented:
"We have worked alongside JUSTICE since 2019. This latest project has been an incredible effort from so many lawyers at the firm. I must single out Lucy Jay, Rachel Wilson and Priya Bansal for their leadership and dedication to the cause. As to the final hearing, I've rarely seen such an accomplished case team and delivery. Working with Tyrone Steele at JUSTICE and the exceptional Estelle Dehon KC and John Fitzsimons of Cornerstone Barristers on such an important issue was an absolute privilege and proud moment for the Pro Bono practice."
The Legal 500 ESG Awards also recognised the cross-firm programme 'The LLP' as LGBTQ+: Initiative. Spearheaded by BCLP, and of which Travers Smith is a member, The LLP is a two-day program by the City of London Law Society. It brings together LGBTQ+-identifying lawyers from over 20 firms to develop leadership skills, connect with peers, and raise over £30,000 for LGBTQ+ charities. Travers Smith is one of the firms involved in the faculty of five alongside Linklaters, Addleshaw Goddard, Norton Rose Fulbright and Herbert Smith Freehills.
