Award

Children's rights solicitor scoops top legal award

Children's solicitor Sophia Khan, from the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), has picked up the David Hershman, Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC) award for Outstanding Newcomer in the Field of Child Law. She was presented with the award by Lord Justice Wilson, at the annual ALC Hershman Levy Memorial Lecture at London South Bank University.

Sophia has been employed by NYAS, a socio-legal Children's Charity that provides independent and confidential information, advice, representation and advocacy to children and young people, since December 2003 where she is a child law specialist. Her training was completed in private practice where she focussed on family, mental health and immigration, which has given her a sound basis for the variety of advice and challenges in representing many of the young people who contact the charity.

Now in its third year, the Award, in memory of David Hershman QC, aims to recognise the contributions of newcomers to the field of child law and to encourage them to continue to play an active role in shaping the future. Along with the award, Sophia was also presented with a full copy of the Hershman/McFarlane Children's Handbook, signed by President of the Family Division Sir Mark Potter and Lord Justice Wilson, and a cheque for £1,000.

Sophia said: "I didn't know I'd been nominated and I'm really over the moon. I'm really grateful for all the support and opportunities I've been given by NYAS. The work we do with children and young people, ensuring that their voices are heard when decisions are being made about their lives and matters that affect them, is so rewarding in itself and this award is the icing on the cake."

NYAS assistant chief executive, Mary Mullin said: "Sophia has matured into a competent and highly valued member of the legal team. She commands a high level of respect from colleagues and other professionals, the children and young people she advises and represents as well as their families and carers. Her work representing children can involve the most problematic cases that might have been ongoing for many years. She has an outstanding ability to conduct these cases in a child centred and child focussed way ensuring that the children are central to the proceedings and are clearly heard.

"She always shows a high level of sensitivity, compassion and professionalism towards every young person she comes into contact with and this has been particularly important in the work of NYAS in providing advocacy services to looked after children and young people. Sophia is always accessible and approachable and is willing to go the extra mile to gain a better outcome for a young person. We really are delighted - this award couldn't have gone to a nicer person."

Barrister Neil Bullock of Coram Chambers added: "Sophia manages a daunting caseload at NYAS. NYAS are only invited to represent children in the most difficult and intractable of cases. More often than not, NYAS represent the last chance for these children to have their voices heard and to be properly represented. Invariably, these children come from a background of being abused, forgotten or overlooked, and are caught up as victims in a family war not of their making and beyond their control.

"I consider Sophia to be an excellent lawyer. My experience of her in general terms is that she is hugely committed to her work and a gifted and able lawyer. Representing children is as important a duty as a lawyer could strive for. Sophia is keenly aware of, and goes to enormous lengths to properly discharge, this duty."

If you are a child or young person that would like to speak with someone at NYAS, please ring the freephone helpline on 0800 61 61 01, text 0777 333 4 555, e-mail help@nyas.net or visit www.nyas.net for further information.