Linklaters innovation efforts shortlisted at FT Europe Innovative Lawyer Awards 2023
Linklaters has been shortlisted for Most Innovative Law Firm and Most Digital Law Firm in Europe alongside two additional awards at this year’s Financial Times Europe Innovative Lawyer Awards 2023, recognising the firm’s commitment to innovation. The awards will be held at the Natural History Museum in London on 21 September 2023.
Linklaters has been shortlisted in the Innovative Lawyers in Supporting Refugees category. Firstly, for the firm’s pro bono advice to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on the launch of a first-of-its-kind blockchain payment solution for distribution of financial assistance to internally displaced persons in Ukraine. The solution has allowed funds to reach vulnerable people on the move, at speed. This has helped individuals impacted by the war, particularly those unable to access banks, to cover basic needs like accommodation, food, medical care and heating.
Richard Hay, Partner and UK Head of Fintech at Linklaters, commented:
“We are thrilled this project has been shortlisted for these awards. It has been a real privilege for the Linklaters team to be able to support UNHCR with this important work. The creation of this innovative blockchain payment solution is an example of how advancing technology can be leveraged to bring humanitarian aid with increased speed and efficiency to those who have been left particularly vulnerable. We are extremely proud to have worked closely with UNHCR on this milestone project and look forward to continuing to support their invaluable work in the future.”
The firm has also been shortlisted alongside its collaborators for the “Rule 39 Initiative”, led by Italian NGO Coalizione Italiana Libertà e Diritti Civili (CILD) and human rights expert Dr Daria Sartori, working with eight international law firms. The Initiative has provided pro bono legal assistance to displaced and vulnerable individuals to make urgent interim measure applications to the European Court of Human Rights, seeking to restrain imminent and irreparable human rights violations.
Georgia Williams, Associate (Pro Bono) at Linklaters commented:
“We are so proud of this collaborative Initiative, which harnesses Dr Sartori’s expertise in an underused but powerful procedural mechanism to achieve literally life-saving impact at scale. Dr Sartori’s work at the intersection of commercial firms and civil society has enabled over three hundred vulnerable individuals (including 48 children) to access pro bono support.”
The firm’s involvement in the “Collaborative Italian Pro Bono Initiative for Afghan Refugees” has also been shortlisted, this initiative has provided legal advice and representation to Afghans seeking to settle in Italy.
Tessa Lee, Partner at Linklaters commented:
“This collaboration with CILD, Italian immigration experts and three other international firms has already secured life-changing results for many people in need of humanitarian protection or seeking to reunite with family in Italy. Thank you to all our volunteers for their work and dedication.”
Linklaters has been shortlisted in the Innovation in Skills Development category for our work with a championship-winning sports team. By applying the firm's design thinking expertise and using our recently developed toolkit, we have helped the team develop a user-friendly guidebook to set of complex regulations, enabling faster decision-making and a better user experience.
Greg Baker, Global Head of Practice Innovation, commented on the firm’s shortlisting:
“An innovative mindset runs through everything we do at Linklaters and it's always a delight to see our leading global practices recognised for their innovative thinking and creativity. I'm therefore delighted to see these fantastic collaborations being shortlisted this year - these are impactful projects that we are incredibly proud of and look forward to the award ceremony in September."
