The fourth annual Bob Hepple Equality Award aims to recognise somebody who has made a significant contribution to combating discrimination or advancing equality.

Established by the Equal Rights Trust (ERT) in memory of the late Professor Sir Bob Hepple QC, champion of equality and non-discrimination, and Chair and then Honorary President of the Trust. The award celebrates those who have dedicated themselves to advancing equality, in particular recognising the achievements of those who promote the comprehensive approach to equality which Bob Hepple promoted, and which drives our work at the Trust. The ERT seeks to honour those whose work has not yet received the widespread recognition peers feel it deserves.

Previous winners have been Pragna Patel of the Southall Black Sisters, who has promoted and championed the rights of black and Asian women in the UK, and Mauro Cabral, Global Action for Trans Equality, who has played a major role in asserting the dignity and rights of trans and intersex persons (2015); Professor Anna Lawson of the Centre for Disability Studies for her outstanding contribution to research and activism in the field of disability rights (2016); Mamikon Hovsepyan of Pink Armenia, for his leadership on LGBT rights in Armenia (2017).

This year, the ERT are seeking to recognise someone whose work has directly resulted in a legal victory in the field of equality (either through legislative reform or before a court), in line with the Declaration of Principles on Equality which Bob Hepple did so much to promulgate. 

Nominees who champion the role of equality law in the enjoyment of other human rights; those who use the law to eradicate discrimination comprehensively, on a variety of different grounds; and those who challenge intersectional discrimination, are particularly welcome.

To find out more and to nominate somebody, head to this page.