India-born lawyer, Ajit Mishra, was conferred the prestigious Freedom of the City of London Award at Guildhall last week for his outstanding contribution to legal and public life.
"I am humbled to receive the Freedom of the City of London award. I started my legal career in the City of London, and it's a proud moment to be recognised by the City," said Mishra, expressing his gratitude.
The British Indian lawyer is the founder and chair of the UK-India Legal Partnership (UKILP), a dynamic networking platform which is rapidly gaining prominence as a leading hub for senior lawyers, fostering connections between the legal communities of India and the UK. Established with the primary goal of enhancing understanding and collaboration within the common law system, this platform stands out for its inclusive ethos and is actively dedicated to promoting the rights of women and young lawyers in the legal sector. As one of the fastest-growing networks in its category, UKILP serves as a vital bridge, facilitating meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange among legal professionals.
Mishra’s nomination for the Freedom of the City award came from Chris Hayward, the City of London Corporation's Policy Chairman, and Shravan Joshi, Deputy Chair of the civil affairs committee. The award, given by the City of London Corporation, dates back to the 13th century and is bestowed upon individuals who make an outstanding contribution to London and public life.
"I'm delighted to see Ajit receive the Freedom of the City of London. Ajit's contribution to the Square Mile through uniting key business stakeholders in the UK and Indian markets has been invaluable to the strengthening relationship between our two nations," said Hayward.
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Rehana Ameer FRSA, Chair of Freedom Application Committee, commented: “Outstanding industry experts like Ajit are a living bridge between the two nations. This recognition amplifies the legal industry collaboration, fosters trust for business, enhances cultural exchange, and promotes investment, all contributing to a stronger, more interconnected relationship between the City of London and India”.
Among his other achievements, Mishra has received the prestigious National Law Day Award from the then President of India, Pratibha Patil as a "Role model for young lawyers" in 2009, and has been recently conferred with Best M&A Lawyer of the Year, 2020 by Business World and Lawyer of the Year 2019 by Asian Voice in London.
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Some notable recipients of the Freedom of the City of London Award included the first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru, former Prime Ministers of the UK - Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher and contemporary legends like Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Captain of the England football team Harry Kane, among others.
(With ANI inputs)
