This year's lifetime achievement award was presented to Lord Collins of Mapesbury, so far the only solicitor to have been a member of the Supreme Court.
Lord Collins has achieved great things during his distinguished legal career. He is an expert on the conflict of laws, fellow of the British Academy and member of the institut de droit international. He works tirelessly to promote the appointment of solicitors to the higher courts.
His career has been notable for trailblazing many professional 'firsts' for solicitors. He was one of the first two practising solicitors to be appointed Queen's Counsel and then the first solicitor to be appointed as a judge of the High Court direct from private practice, before going on to grace the Supreme Court.
As a solicitor-advocate he appeared before the English Court of Appeal and the European Court of Justice and acted for the Government of Chile in the case to extradite General Pinochet.
Lord Collins is an extraordinary solicitor and a marvellous advocate of our profession, and a deserving winner of this year's Lifetime Achievement award. Lord Collins was unable to accept his award during the ceremony, but recorded a short clip for us which is available to view below.