The Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (Dara) has won the Pro Bono Initiative of the Year category in The Lawyer Awards 2023.
The legal profession publication recognises excellence by law firms, legal teams and individuals in the UK through the event.
A group of law firms set up Dara to represent London-based domestic abuse victims-survivors who are ineligible for legal aid but cannot afford to pay for private representation. The scheme provides them with help, support and representation from the outset to conclusion of court proceedings seeking protective injunctions against their abuser.
Dara acts on behalf of people referred to it by the NCDV or the Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors (Flows) organisation. Dara does not take direct referrals.
Its member firms are: Travers Smith; Debevoise & Plimpton; Gibson Dunn & Crutcher; Hogan Lovells; Latham & Watkins; Reed Smith; Slaughter and May; Eversheds Sutherland; DLA Piper; and Akin Gump.