We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted at the Chambers UK Bar DEI and Pro Bono Awards 2026.
The Chambers UK Bar Awards 2026 recognises those leading the way in DEI and Pro Bono across the UK Bar.
From outstanding advocacy in high-profile pro bono cases to innovative strategies for attracting, retaining and developing diverse talent, the awards celebrate the individuals and organisations helping to shape a more inclusive and socially responsible legal profession.
Garden Court Chambers is delighted to be shortlisted in three categories:
- Outstanding Contribution – Oscar Davies
- Diverse and Inclusive Set of the Year– Garden Court Chambers
- Pro Bono Set of the Year – Garden Court Chambers
Outstanding Contribution – Oscar Davies
Oscar Davies is a multi-award-winning barrister and the first in the UK to be publicly recognised as non-binary and to use the title ‘Mx’ in court, championed by the press as a ‘legal first’. Oscar provides support to their community in many different ways, both publicly and privately. Oscar has a broad civil practice, in court or tribunal most days, encompassing employment, education, human rights, commercial and property & housing. Oscar also accepts instructions directly from lay clients, under the Bar Council’s public access scheme. Oscar hosts anti-discrimination platform @nonbinarybarrister, where they share resources and distil judgments so as to democratise the law, and so that those affected – notably trans and non-binary people – can understand it better. Oscar appreciates that their unique position being at the intersection of being non-binary and a barrister can serve their community by sharing knowledge, nuance and understanding.
Oscar has also used their position to inform the public about policy affecting LGBTQ+ communities. Oscar was voted as one of ‘Top 10 Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life’ by the British LGBT Awards 2022 for their work as an advocate for trans and non-binary rights. Oscar is a fierce proponent for pro bono work, and via Advocate has completed their 25 hours for 2026. Oscar takes on cases that directly affect minorities, especially those in the LGBT+ community. Oscar Davies won the Legal 500 ESG LGBTQ+ Champion Award in 2026 and 2024, and the King’s College London Changemaker of the Year Award 2025, for their advocacy work both inside and outside of court.
Diverse and Inclusive Set of the Year– Garden Court Chambers
For over fifty years, Garden Court has remained committed to a simple but enduring principle: ‘Do right, fear no one’. That guiding ethos underpins not only our legal practice, but also our deep commitment to equality, social justice, and expanding access to the law. Whether through our work on the School Inclusion Project, our long-standing support for grassroots organisations via the Special Fund, Garden Court continues to stand with those most affected by inequality and exclusion.
Working closely with NGOs, charities, and campaign groups, our barristers take on the defining injustices of our time—from climate litigation and activist defence, to tenants’ rights amid the housing crisis. Our sold-out Black Silk Event, held in partnership with Gray’s Inn, confronted the under-representation of Black Silks and celebrated the achievements and legacy of Black advocates. We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, particularly for our long-term mentoring scheme, ‘Access to the Bar for All‘. The scheme awards scholarships to two students, if they study Law, of £7000 per year over three years, and allocates a barrister mentor over the five-year period. We currently have three law students receiving these scholarships.
The scheme is funded solely through the ‘Special Fund’ over a five-year period, whereby every member of Chambers contributes financially through a percentage of their yearly earnings. The Special Fund makes donations to small legal, campaigning or charitable organisations undertaking work in defence of civil liberties or access to social justice and has donated over £3 million so far. In 2024, the scheme was awarded Outstanding in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Social Mobility Award at the Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards. We were proud to be Highly Commended for Diversity & Inclusion at the LexisNexis Awards 2026.
In 2020 and 2019, the scheme was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion at the Chambers Bar Awards. In 2017, the scheme was awarded Diversity Initiative of the Year at the UK Diversity Legal Awards. To date, the scheme has supported over 13 mentees, including 2025 mentees.
Pro Bono Set of the Year
This year, we had over 25 Garden Court barristers listed on the Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales 2026. In addition to those listed, many of our other members frequently take on cases pro bono. Many of our barristers do pro bono work for individuals or organisations who cannot otherwise afford legal help, and we take on around 200 cases per year. We recognise that pro bono work is not a substitute for the crisis in legal aid services.
We are proud of our longstanding commitment to access to justice, including through our Special Fund. As a Chambers, we have donated over £3 million to small legal, campaigning or charitable organisations undertaking work in defence of civil liberties or access to social justice. Most of the organisations we support improve access to justice for disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable members of society.
View the full shortlist here. The Awards will take place on Thursday 12 November 2026.
