No5 barrister S Chelvan is ranked number 43 out of 101 on the Independents’ Rainbow List 2015 in celebration of the 101 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Britain.

It took nine judges and more than seven hours to decide who would appear on the Rainbow list, with many public nominations which went in via email and by post.

The judges for this year agreed that the list, this year, should be about pioneers and recognise and celebrate those who have paved the way for LGBT equality and actively celebrate those who fought for recognition from different cultures, religions and identities.

Chelvan’s entry highlighted his international reputation in the field of LGBTI asylum law: “Chelvan, a barrister and LGBTI activist, has an international reputation in LGBTI asylum law. He developed a model  based on recognising difference, stigma, shame and harm, which is now used routinely in LGBTI asylum cases. It is globally recognised by the UNHCR, governments, NGOs and lawyers.”