Every two years the Herbert Smith Freehills Community Engagement Awards recognise pro bono legal work and social enterprise led by individuals or teams of law students across India.
Arising from the firm's longstanding work with law schools across India and its Bridge initiative (HSF Bridge), which connects students at Indian law schools and social projects, the awards judge the impact, sustainability, innovation and presentation of projects submitted in the categories of legal work and volunteering. Particular credit is given to work which creates sustainable impact and has achieved, or appears likely to achieve, its key objectives.
The successful projects were announced at an awards ceremony in India, where the winners received a £2,000 cash prize. They were:
- For community investment through legal work: Legal Aid Clinic
- For community contribution through volunteering: Law School 101
Herbert Smith Freehills' Community Engagement Awards have been again hugely successful. The quality and variety of the projects is fantastic and we congratulate all of the shortlisted law students. The kind of work that they are doing across India to make a positive change in society is very impressive and I am happy that our Community Engagement Awards are a platform to acknowledge their efforts.
Chris Parsons
Partner and Chairman of Herbert Smith Freehills' India Practice