Indian Origin Ajit Mishra Gets the Freedom of the City of London Award

 Ajit Mishra, a prominent lawyer of Indian origin in the UK, has been awarded the prestigious "Freedom of the City of London" for his outstanding contributions to the legal and public sectors.

• Rajesh Mishra, the founder and chair of the UK India Legal Partnership (UKILP) was awarded the Freedom of the City of London award on January 23.

About Ajit Mishra

• He is a dual-qualified lawyer and corporate partner at Knights and has over two decades of experience leading M&A and commercial transactions between India and the UK. Mishra has also been a partner and head of the India desk at some of the best domestic and international law firms.
• UKILP, founded by Mishra, is a dynamic networking platform that is quickly gaining recognition as a leading hub for senior lawyers to foster connections between the legal communities of India and the UK. 
• The platform's primary goal is to enhance understanding and collaboration within the common law system. It stands out for its inclusive ethos, actively dedicated to promoting the rights of women and young lawyers in the legal sector.

About Freedom of the City of London Award

• The prestigious award was nominated by Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of London Corporation and Shravan Joshi, Deputy Chair of the civil affairs committee. 
• The Freedom of the City of London was established in 1237 as a status for "free men" or "citizens" who were protected by the City of London's charter and not under the control of a feudal lord. 
• Over time, this evolved into a right to trade, which became closely related to the medieval guilds - the livery companies. 
• In 1835, the eligibility for the freedom of the city was expanded to include anyone who lived, worked, or had a strong connection to the city. 
• The freedom that citizens enjoy is closely linked to privileges in the city’s governance.
• Notable recipients of this award include the first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru, former prime ministers of the United Kingdom- Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, the first prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, and the first President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, besides contemporary statesmen.