Belfast solicitor Darragh Mackin has been named Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards ceremony in London.

Mr Mackin, who works for Belfast firm KRW Law, qualified as a solicitor in 2014.

Mr Mackin told Irish Legal News: “It is a real privilege to be nominated for the legal aid awards in competition with such fantastic lawyers. To win the award is an overwhelming experience.

“Awards like this are not possible without a team effort, and I am very lucky to be surrounded by a great team. It is great to see, for the first time, Irish lawyers being shortlisted in the reputable London awards.”