The acting chief executive of the Legal Services Commission (LSC) was among those from the legal world to be recognised in last weekend?s Queen?s birthday honours.

Brian Harvey, who joined the then Legal Aid Board as director of personnel in 1989 and took over from former chief executive Claire Dodgson when she went on sick leave last year, received an OBE.

Mr Harvey said: ?I regard it as a tribute to all the hard work put in by people at the LSC at a time of great change.?

Barrister Laurence Oates, the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee, was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). Two other senior civil servants with law-related roles received the same award: Greer Kerrigan, legal director at the Department for Work and Pensions, and Christopher Muttukumaru, legal services director at the Department for Transport.

Among the solicitors to receive recognition was Francis Aldhouse, former deputy information commissioner, who received a CBE for services to data protection. He is now a consultant with City firm Bird & Bird.

John Fitzpatrick, a solicitor who has served on the executive committee of the Law Centres Federation (LCF) and is director of the Kent Law Clinic, was awarded an OBE. LCF director Steve Hynes said: ?We are delighted at this recognition of a real stalwart in the law centre world. John has never wavered in his belief in the need for law centres, and is still passionately campaigning for them today.?

Other solicitors to receive an OBE were Neil Franklin, chief crown prosecutor for West Yorkshire, and Martin Polden, president of the Environmental Law Foundation.

Mr Polden, a consultant at London firm Ross & Craig, said: ?I see this as recognition of the work done by the foundation and all involved with it in respect of the service it provides for communities through its advice and referral service and community outreach programme.?

From the world of legal education, Professor Hazel Genn of University College, London, was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to civil justice, while Professor Celia Wells of Cardiff University received an OBE.

MBEs went to David Hamilton, former legal adviser to the Metropolitan Police, solicitor Miles Richardson from Southend Citizens Advice Bureau, and Valerie Saint, former legal counsel for food group Unilever. Stephen Smith, a partner at Rotherham firm Wilford Smith, also won an MBE for charitable services.