We are delighted to congratulate Kate Aubrey-Johnson on being awarded an OBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.
Kate has been awarded an OBE for her services to children and the youth justice system.
The King’s Birthday Honours list serves as an annual opportunity to recognise exceptional achievements and significant contributions to British society.
Kate Aubrey-Johnson is a nationally recognised expert in youth justice and children’s rights. Whilst on sabbatical, Kate worked at Just for Kids Law where she set up Youth Justice Legal Centre. As a barrister at Garden Court, Kate convenes the Children’s Rights Team.
She is also a SEND mediator and the author of Making Mediation Work for You (LAG, 2012). In 2024, she co-founded Lawyers Who Care, a ground-breaking initiative with Lucy Barnes to support care-experienced aspiring lawyers. She has brought Garden Court on as a founding supporter, with members now acting as mentors to LWC mentees.
She is co-author Kate of the leading textbook Youth Justice Law and Practice (LAG, 2019) and regularly writes and trains on youth justice and children’s rights. She was part of an expert group advising the ICCA on their Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law course. She co-wrote ‘Dare to Care’ – a guide for criminal lawyers representing care experienced young people.
In 2021, Kate Aubrey-Johnson was also appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the Expert Advisory Panel for the Independent Criminal Legal Aid Review which recommended a training and accreditation scheme be developed alongside higher legal aid rates for Youth Court work (the increase in Youth Court fees was introduced in November 2024). Kate Aubrey-Johnson co-chairs the Ministry of Justice Quality of Advocacy Working Group, appointed by the former Chair of the Youth Justice Board, Charlie Taylor.
Kate was Highly Commended for the Mentor of the Year Award Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2026.
