Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is part of a group of 14 law firms that have been Commended by the FT’s Innovative Lawyer Europe Awards for its work on the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (“APBI”)

The APBI, launched in March 2022, offers pro bono legal representation to Afghan refugees needing legal advice and support following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Led by Refugee Legal Support and Safe Passage International, the APBI brings together lawyers from 14 international law firms to provide pro bono legal advice and representation for people applying to be reunited with their family in the UK and accessing the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, as well as providing information on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. The APBI also dedicates significant resources on engaging with the affected UK communities, including disseminating legal and practical information to those affected in their preferred language.

The FT’s Innovative Lawyer Europe Awards recognise the best in innovation from law firms and in-house legal teams across Europe. Finalists for the awards comprise the top-ranked submissions from organisations that have demonstrated innovative approaches to deliver exceptional value to clients and communities.