Categories 2025

This year, we will be accepting entries based on achievements made between November 2023 - October 2024

This popular award is open to teams or individuals within law firms and chambers who are responsible for pioneering and implementing exceptional business development and / or marketing programmes. Here, the judges will be looking for (among other things) examples of how entrants have built up sustainable client relationships, co-ordinated successful panel bids or tender activity, enhanced their company profile and / or strengthened the firm / chambers’ brand.

This award will be presented to an individual or organisation involved with one of the leading legal disputes that has been concluded during the period November 2023 to October 2024. The case may be significant in that it has established a precedent, determined a new legal principle or otherwise substantially affected the interpretation of existing law. For cases with representation from more than one firm or chambers, we recommend you put forward a joint entry. Only organisations that put forward an entry will be shortlisted.

This award will be presented to a set of chambers, who must have a significant UK presence and be regulated by UK authorities, demonstrating exceptional performance and leadership within the UK legal market. Chambers are encouraged to highlight their involvement in significant legal matters, alongside their commitment to pro bono work and contributions to the wider community. Additionally, entries should showcase internal initiatives that promote barrister wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. 

This category recognises a costs law team (in a solicitors firm, chambers, working in-house or in a costs practice) who has demonstrated outstanding expertise and excellence in the field of legal costs management. Entrants should showcase their significant contributions, innovative approaches, and successful outcomes in handling complex costs cases. 

This award recognises the law firm, chambers, or in-house team that demonstrates outstanding excellence in customer care and service. Entrants should showcase how they prioritise client satisfaction through personalised support, proactive communication, and tailored solutions. Highlighting initiatives that consistently exceed client expectations and foster long-term relationships will be crucial.

This award will be presented to an individual or organisation involved with one of the leading legal transactions that has been concluded during the period November 2023 to October 2024. The deal may be significant in that it has involved an unusual level of complexity, significantly high-value or an innovation in legal practice.

This award will be presented to a team or individual for developing and driving opportunities for entry to (and advancement in) the legal profession by promoting equality of opportunity. This should be combined with a flair for celebrating diversity, ie valuing people of all ages, cultures, races, religions, nationalities and ethnicities regardless of gender, disability or sexual orientation.

This award recognises the dispute resolution team that has demonstrated exceptional excellence in their field. The team should have consistently achieved outstanding results in resolving complex disputes and shown remarkable innovation in their approach. Additionally, their commitment to high-quality legal service and meaningful pro bono contributions will be key factors in their consideration.

This award will be presented to a law firm, chambers or in-house team demonstrating outstanding performance in the field of employment law. Entrants, who should have a significant presence in the UK and provide services that are regulated by UK authorities, will need to show how they have stood out from the competition in terms of the quality of legal services offered and the outcomes they have achieved for their clients.

This award acknowledges the tremendous importance of work done by the legal teams of companies and bodies other than law firms, including those in the public sector. It will go to a team that has delivered an exceptional level of legal service to its organisation, such as support for the business’s commercial goals; success or strong performance in negotiation; material contribution to the business’s operational efficiency or profitability; risk management and avoidance.

This award will be presented to a UK-based law firm, chambers, or in-house team that has demonstrated outstanding performance in delivering legal services to the international market. Entrants should showcase their ability to navigate complex cross-border legal matters, provide innovative solutions, and manage high-profile international cases. Please provide evidence of impact, strategic leadership, and collaboration across jurisdictions.

This award is open to teams and individuals responsible for the delivery of exceptional legal support services and promotion of best practice within their firms. Entrants should be able to demonstrate innovation in the sourcing and dissemination of knowledge and / or examples of how they have created and implemented initiatives which add value to the business and clients.

This award will be presented to a law firm demonstrating outstanding performance and ingenuity in a particular area of its practice or business in the UK. Entrants, who must have a significant UK presence and be regulated by UK authorities, should show how their achievements distinguish them as trailblazers and market leaders in today’s competitive legal market. Firms should highlight the complexity of cases handled, their commitment to pro bono and community work, and initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. 

This award honours an individual (not necessarily with a background or qualification in the law) who has made an outstanding contribution in the legal sphere in the past year. The judges will select a shortlist from the entries based primarily on their achievements in the past 2 years, with the winner being decided by an online vote of the New Law Journal readership.

This award recognises a law firm, set of chambers or in-house team which has, through innovation and radical change, introduced new or improved ways of providing legal services and / or new working practices, which are influencing the future of law and practice. The judges will be looking for evidence of original concepts - whether or not technology-based - which improve the speed or quality of service to clients and the wider community, such as developments in artificial intelligence, e-discovery etc; broaden the range of the organisation's activity; or increase the operational efficiency and delivery of legal services.

This award recognises a supplier which has, through innovation and radical change, introduced new working practices, which are influencing the future of law and practice. The judges will be looking for evidence of original concepts - whether or not technology-based - which improve the speed or quality of service to clients and the wider community, such as developments in artificial intelligence, e-discovery etc; or increase the operational efficiency and delivery of legal services.

This award recognises an individual who has made a sustained and significant impact in the legal world throughout their career. The judges will consider the unique qualities which have earned this individual the respect of their colleagues and peers.

Activities covered by this popular award include voluntary community programmes, corporate social responsibility programmes, and legal/pro bono activity in communities in the UK or abroad. Entries are invited from firms, chambers, and in-house teams whose innovative programmes and exceptional commitment have increased access to justice and made a marked difference to the communities in which they operate.

This award recognises the law firm, chambers, or in-house team that has shown outstanding commitment to enhancing the environmental sustainability of its operations. Entrants should highlight their efforts to reduce environmental impact, implement sustainable practices, and promote green initiatives within their organisation.

This prestigious award honours an individual or organisation that has made a significant and sustained impact in promoting and upholding the rule of law. The award celebrates exceptional contributions to advancing fair and just governance, reinforcing the principles of legal integrity, and championing the universal standards of justice. Entrants should demonstrate commitment to fostering an equitable legal framework and enhancing the rule of law through impactful initiatives, advocacy, or reforms.

This category recognises law firms that demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals through innovative and effective trainee schemes. Entrants should highlight the impact, structure, and outcomes of their programmes in fostering talent, supporting trainee wellbeing and resilience, and preparing them for successful legal careers

This category recognises universities that excel in equipping their law students with strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking skills. Entrants should demonstrate how their programmes or initiatives foster a deep understanding of the commercial landscape, preparing students to navigate the complexities of legal practice in a business context.

This category celebrates universities that have made a significant impact through their legal pro bono programmes. Entrants should highlight how their initiatives provide meaningful legal support to underserved communities, while also offering valuable, hands-on experience to their students.

This award recognises the law firm, chambers, or in-house team that demonstrates exceptional commitment to fostering a supportive working environment that prioritizes the mental and physical health of its staff, members, or colleagues. Entrants should highlight their initiatives to promote wellbeing, manage work-life balance, and create a culture that supports overall employee health and resilience.