School of Law Postgraduate Researcher wins Real Impact Award

Gill Loomes-Quinn and her research partner Professor Celia Kitzinger (Cardiff University) have won the "Mobilising Research into Action" category of the Real Impact Awards 2020.

The School of Law is delighted that our Postgraduate Researcher Gill Loomes-Quinn, along with Professor Celia Kitzinger of Cardiff University, has won the "Mobilising Research into Action" category of the Real Impact Awards 2020 for their Open Justice Court of Protection Project.

The Awards, which are organised by Emerald Publishing, aim to celebrate those in the research community who go above and beyond to make a difference. The awards are in their third year and the "Mobilising Research into Action" category is about “recognising the efforts and commitment being made to meaningfully connect research and action to deliver societal change”.

The Open Justice Court of Protection Project is an initiative created to ensure that transparency and open justice is maintained and enhanced in the Court of Protection during COVID-19, by supporting public observers in the court and publishing blogs analysing the work of the court and increasing understanding of law in action.

Gill Loomes-Quinn said of the winIt is wonderful to have the Open Justice Court of Protection Project recognised in this way. Since we started in June 2020 we have been delighted at how our work has been embraced by those working in the court system (including judges, lawyers, and court staff – and the HIVE Group) and by the members of the public who have observed the court in action and contributed to our blog.

“It is a privilege to co-direct the Project with Celia Kitzinger, and to make a contribution to the development of open justice, of public legal literacy through citizen journalism, and of social awareness and conscience concerning how the Court of Protection deals with issues of “mental capacity”, “best interests”, and the human rights of disabled people – including some of the most vulnerable members of society”.