A MERSEYSIDE barrister is celebrating after receiving a commendation from the region's chief constable for helping tackle anti-social behaviour.
Paul Burns, a barrister at Exchange Chambers in Liverpool, has received the award after obtaining anti-social behaviour orders against 11 prominent members of a notorious Liverpool street gang.
The commendation - for 'commitment, professionalism, dedication and motivation' - is the first time that a barrister's work has been recognised in this way by Merseyside Police.
Mr Burns - who is a governor at his old school, St Mary's in Crosby - said: "I was honoured to receive this commendation which reflects the effort and commitment of all the members of our litigation team who were involved in this case."
He's the second barrister at the Chambers to hit the headlines in recent weeks - colleague Paul Clark is currently the Lord Mayor of the city after 12 months in the role of Deputy Lord Mayor.
Mr Clark, a Liberal Democrat, has been a Liverpool City Councillor for 30 years and represents County Ward. He too is an old boy of St Mary's in Crosby.
He said: "I am delighted and proud to be taking up this prestigious role. It is both a challenge and an honour to be Lord Mayor at a time that coincides with the 800th anniversary of the city's founding charter in 2007 and the Capital of Culture Year in 2008."
Exchange Chambers Director Tom Handley - yet another old boy of St Mary's College - commented: "We are all absolutely delighted at what these members have achieved. Their success is a great credit to themselves and to Chambers as a whole."
St Mary's College Principal, Jean Marsh, added: "It is always very gratifying to hear
about the success of our former pupils and I would like to congratulate Paul Clark, Paul Burns and Tom Handley on their distinguished achievements."
Other former St Mary's pupils include poet Roger McGough, media mogul Lord John Birt, broadcasters Laurie Taylor and Will Hanrahan, comedian Tom O'Connor, Archbishop of Birmingham Vincent Nichols and Sir Ivor Roberts, President of Trinity College Oxford and former British Ambassador to Italy.
In April another old boy, Andrew Mitchell from Formby, was appointed as the new British Ambassador to Sweden at the very young age of 40.