Three solicitors have been made honorary King’s Counsel, the Ministry of Justice has announced.
Conferred by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, the honorary KC award recognises exceptional contributions to the law in England and Wales. Eight awards were made, with the remaining awards allocated to legal academics and the judiciary. Three solicitors were recognised from nine appointments last year.
City of London Law Society (CLLS) chair Colin Passmore, a former senior partner at Simmons & Simmons, received the award alongside Peter Kandler – the co-founder of the North Kensington Law Centre, the UK’s first law centre. Consumer law specialist Dean Dunham, a presenter for national radio network LBC, was also recognised for his work in developing claimant recourse to alternative dispute resolution (ADR), having founded Consumer Dispute Resolution in 2014, the first approved ADR scheme under UK regulations.
In response, the CLLS said Passmore was nominated for his work in shaping the modern understanding of privilege through his scholarship, and for his leadership in firm-level and sector-wide approaches to diversity, social mobility and responsible business – including initiatives to support access to the profession and the next generation of lawyers.
The society said: “This award is a fitting tribute to Colin’s continuous dedication, influence and service to the law, not least since assuming the chairmanship of the CLLS four years ago.”
Passmore spent three influential decades at Simmons & Simmons, including serving as senior partner for 10 years between 2011 and 2021. He is widely credited with providing the firm with the impetus to expand internationally while developing a strong reputation in key sectors, particularly financial services disputes, construction and insurance.
Passmore said: “I am proud to receive this award. It has been a privilege to contribute to the profession and to work alongside so many talented colleagues over the years. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to help shape the law and to support the next generation of lawyers.”
Emily Monastiriotis, global managing partner at Simmons & Simmons, commented: “Colin has had a remarkable impact on the legal profession over many years, including through his significant contribution to Simmons & Simmons, notably his dedication to developing people, from which I also benefited. On behalf of the entire firm, I warmly congratulate Colin on this well-deserved honour.”
Julian Taylor, Passmore’s successor as senior partner, added: “In his long and distinguished career, Colin has made an enormous contribution to the law, the practice of law and the broader industry. This is tremendously well-deserved recognition.”
The Law Centres Network chief executive Julie Bishop said Kandler’s award recognised “his pioneering role in shaping the law centre movement and his enduring contribution to the idea that the law should work for everyone, not just those who can afford it”.
Among the academics recognised, professor Eirik Bjorge of Bristol University was praised for his work on public international law, human rights, European law and constitutional and administrative law, while professor Susan Edwards of Northumbria University was recognised for her work on gender and the law, especially tackling domestic abuse, gender-based violence and homicide.
Birmingham University’s professor Rosie Harding was nominated for her substantial contribution to the development of disability and mental capacity law, while University of Michigan professor James Hathaway was acknowledged for his work on public international law, especially asylum.
Finally, Her Honour Judge Emma Nott, who primarily sits as a family, criminal and Court of Protection judge, as well as a Bencher at Gray’s Inn, was nominated for her efforts to drive fairness and equality at the Bar, including on systemic gender disparities in work allocation and remuneration – a subject which is one of Bar Council chair, Kirsty Brimelow KC’s, 12 priorities for her year.
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