Although Phil Michaels has been Friends of the Earth’s (FOE) in-house solicitor for five years, 2006 was the year in which he made a real impact.

It began with a judicial review of Gordon Brown’s decision to scrap environmental reporting for companies. The legal action proved effective quickly and Brown made a policy U-turn.

In the summer Michaels represented hundreds of cyclists taking part in the monthly ‘Critical Mass’ bike ride. The High Court found in the cyclists’ favour, ruling that the Metropolitan Police had no right to treat the rides as a protest.

The year ended as FOE secured judicial review of the Government’s policy on genetically modified food.

FOE also now has the right to take legal aid cases, widening the number of people it can help. Michaels should be proud of his work.