A MIDDLESEX University professor has been named human rights lawyer of the year.

Philip Leach received the accolade from The Law Society at its annual excellence awards last Thursday (October 22).

He combines teaching human rights law with the role of director of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), based at the university’s Hendon campus.

Professor Leach has represented hundreds of victims in the European Court of Human Rights, including Taisa Abakarova, who lost five members of her family when the village of Katyr-Yurt in Chechnya was attacked by Russian forces in February 2000.

Last week, she was awarded €300,000 in compensation.

His nomination was endorsed by a number of leading professionals in the field, including Sir Nicolas Bratza, former President of the European Court of Human Rights.

In his endorsement, Sir Nicolas described Philip's work as "extraordinary" and "tireless".

He added: "He is, in his quiet and modest way, an inspiring leader of a dedicated team of lawyers, interns and volunteers whose work has done so much to advance and protect the rights of people.

“Philip Leach is an unsung hero of the cause of human rights and I can think of no one who is more deserving of the award of Human Rights Lawyer of the Year."