Top award for legal advisor

A legal advisor to Rochdale Magistrates' Court has won an award at Her Majesty's Courts Service National Awards ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Peter Mayoh was praised for raising the profile of the Magistrates' court through his inspiring and energetic work.

Mr Mayoh is lead legal advisor for Community Engagement and Community Justice and has been involved in community events such as acting as a judge in regional heats of the Citizen's Foundation sponsored mock trial competition.

He organises magistrates' involvement in community forums, identifies audiences for debates, arranges community engagement boards and manages publicity. Staff have also benefited from his in-court directory, his links with the community and his problem-solving team.

HMCS Chief Executive Chris Mayer said: "Our annual awards ceremony highlights the very best practice to be found within HMCS and I am hugely impressed to see so much innovation, enthusiasm and ability to do a first class job under pressure.

"The courts are where most people first come into contact with justice system, whether to resolve a family dispute, enforce their rights as a consumer or employee, claim compensation, give evidence as a witness of crime, or be brought to justice as an offender. The work of the HMCS Awards winners has an enormously positive impact on people's experiences."