A MENTAL health lawyer at a North-East firm has been shortlisted for a national award.

Mike Bishop, partner at David Gray Solicitors, is set to find out on Tuesday if he has been named mental health lawyer of the year at the 10th Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Mr Bishop, who is head of the mental health department at his firm, is one of three finalists.

Organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), the ceremony celebrates the excellence of legal work in the publically funded sector and recognises lawyers and firms who have demonstrated exceptional commitment the sector.

Mr Bishop, who qualified as a solicitor in 1989, has practised mental health throughout his career, focusing particularly on working with patients detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.

He represents patients at mental health review tribunal hearings, manager review hearings and at case reviews.

He said: " These awards are a fantastic way of recognising all the hard work that is done by Legal Aid Lawyers to ensure clients receive the representation they deserve.

"I wasn't expecting to be shortlisted but I'm thrilled to have been selected alongside some of the UK's most respected and leading lawyers."

The winners will be announced and presented with their awards at a ceremony in London.