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Award Categories

The 2025 Yorkshire Legal Awards is open to submissions

The Yorkshire Legal Awards is open to individuals and teams in private practice and in-house, at law firms and companies who are based in Yorkshire or provide services in Yorkshire.

Key dates and deadlines General rules and requirements

Key Dates for Your Diary

All the dates you need for the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025

  • Entry deadline 27 June 2025
  • Shortlist July 2025
  • Awards ceremony 9 October 2025

Submissions for Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025 are open!

The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements.

The Yorkshire Legal Awards were launched in 2000 and will celebrate their 26th anniversary in 2025! This key date in the calendar is the chance to come together for a memorable evening of networking, socialising, and celebrating.

Categories cover everyone from the biggest corporate firms to leading barristers, senior partners to rising stars. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel of experts from across Yorkshire’s legal community.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony and dinner, held at New Dock Hall in Leeds.

How to enter How to win Rules and requirements Contact us Register now to enter

How to enter

Entries for the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025 must be submitted by 27 June 2025.

  • Register

    To enter the Yorkshire Legal Awards, you need to register. This will enable you to access the entry form and enter as many categories as you wish.

    Click here to register

  • Pick your categories

    The Yorkshire Legal Awards categories are open to everyone involved in the legal sector in the region, from outstanding trainees to managing partners and in-house lawyers, as well as law firms of every size and even lawtech providers.

     

  • Choose the form of your submission

    Make sure every submission is unique for the category that you’re entering.

    We accept written submissions of between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion).

    Written submissions are at their best after several drafts, with input from everyone involved. Remember that your submission needs to stand out from the crowd, so keep it active, free of jargon, and don’t forget to proofread your words before entering.

    Alternatively, you can enter a video submission. You’ll have a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate why you, your team or business should win the particular category. Videos are easy to digest and revisit, and they allow the judges to put a face to an entry.

    Please note, we are no longer accepting video files. To submit a video, you must upload it to a third-party platform such as YouTube or your own website and supply a link (ensure that the video is private or password protected before submitting).

  • Submit via the form

    Entries should be submitted no later than 11.59pm on 27 June 2025.

    Submissions can only be accepted via the entry form, which you can access after registering and paying the registration fee.

    Fill out all of the required information. There are mandatory fields for the person providing the submission as well as the subject of the submission.

    If you are putting an organisation forward for an award, mark the fields under the Nominee heading with an ‘n/a’ except for the Company name field and make sure you choose the correct category from the list. Doing so reveals the correct category criteria and fields in which to paste your submission. The form must be filled out and submitted for every category.

    The form removes all formatting, so don’t worry about italics, bolding, underlining or hyperlinking, as these won’t make it through our system. Furthermore, no supporting documents and attachments are allowed, so don’t use the attach buttons for CVs, promo videos, PDFs and Word docs—these won’t make it through our system, either.

    For written submissions, input your 250 to 1,000 words in the provided fields. For video submissions, fill out the form (except the criteria fields) and paste the link to your video into the one of the criteria fields.

    Login to view the entry form

  • Attach your logo

    If you make it to the shortlist, we’ll need a high-resolution version of your logo for the ceremony and marketing campaigns. We accept the .JPEG, .PNG and .PDF formats, but prefer .EPS wherever possible. If you don’t have this, don’t worry.

  • Attach nominee’s photo

    This is for the Talent categories. Colour photos are preferred, wide, horizontal shots work well, and high resolution .JPEG is best.

  • Sit back and wait for news

    That’s it, you’re done! Approximately two weeks following the submission deadline, our judging panel will convene to make their decisions. We’ll then get in touch with every finalist to give them the good news.

     

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

  • Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully evaluate the criteria for the categories you’re entering and provide a well-produced submission before the entry deadline.
  • Check the criteria. Each category has its own criteria, and each submission should be unique.
  • Provide evidence. Include as many results and evidence of success as you can, including testimonials. Judges are there to be swayed, so sway them.
  • Keep it simple. Write or speak clearly and concisely so the judges can quickly understand the points you’re making.
  • Consult with the relevant team. Collaborate on your submission as you do your work, and ensure that your whole team contributes.
  • Be enthusiastic, transparent, and honest. Inspire the judges by sharing your organisation’s ethos and passion for your work without trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty is the best policy.
  • Redraft and revise. Once your submission is ready, start again and interrogate every fact and figure. Are they correct? Question every claim. Is that true? Weigh your language. Is that a helpful term or an empty buzzword?

General rules and requirements

  • Entrants must be based in Yorkshire or provide services in Yorkshire
  • Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish
  • Entrants are encouraged to limit submissions to two entries per category; further submissions may not be considered.
  • Submissions must be unique and tailored to meet the criteria of each category.
  • Self-nomination is required.
  • Written and video submissions are accepted – both must follow the criteria format.
  • Submissions can be made until 11.59pm on the entry deadline day
  • Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony.
  • Entries submitted by companies that have undergone administration, liquidation, or significant restructuring will be subject to review to ensure continuity of operations, leadership, and client commitments.
  • The Yorkshire Legal Awards reserves the right to disqualify entries where there are concerns about corporate governance, financial stability, or ethical business practices.
  • The judging panel has the final authority to determine whether an entry meets the spirit and intent of the awards.
  • The Yorkshire Legal Awards reserves the right to remove any entries or finalists that do not meet the above criteria or that, in the judges’ discretion, could undermine the integrity of the awards.

Have a question…

Sammy Kinlough

For information on sponsorship, contact Sammy Kinlough

sammy.kinlough@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 521 6085

Sammy Kinlough

For information on your entry, contact Sammy Kinlough

sammy.kinlough@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 521 6085

Practice areas

  • Commercial Property

    Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

    1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
    2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
    4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Corporate & Commercial

    Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

    1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
    2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
    4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Criminal Law

    Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

    1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
    2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
    4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Debt Recovery

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Employment Law
    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area
      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Family Law

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Intellectual Property

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Private Client

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Regulatory & Compliance

    • Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

      1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
      2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
      4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Residential Property

    Open to individuals and teams/departments operating within this practice area

    1. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the person/team/department.
    2. How does the person/team/department demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    3. In what ways does the person/team/department bring innovation to bear in their provision of legal services in this practice area?
    4. How is the person/team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the person/team/department received from third parties?
    Enter Now

Organisation

  • Best ESG Campaign

    • Open to all law firms, barristers’ chambers and in-house legal departments across Yorkshire

      1. What ambitious ESG targets has the organisation set?
      2. In what ways are the organisation’s senior leadership taking a top-down approach to planning, setting and executing ESG activity?
      3. Outline at least one recent campaign that best demonstrates the organisation’s dedication of resources, strategic planning and execution and delivery of results in pursuit of its ESG ambitions.
      4. What steps is the organisation taking to continue achieving progress in the pursuit of its ESG ambitions?
      5. What recognition has the organisation received from third parties for its ESG campaign?
    Enter Now
  • Chambers of the Year

    • Open to all barristers’ chambers across Yorkshire

      1. What is behind the chambers’ recent track record of success for clients?
      2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the chambers and its barristers.
      3. In what ways is the chambers practising and championing client care and engagement?
      4. How is the chambers making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the chambers received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • In-House Team of the Year

    • Open to teams/department working within a public or private organisation in Yorkshire

      1. What is behind the team/department’s recent track record of success for its organisation?
      2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the team/department and its lawyers.
      3. In what ways is the team/department practising and championing stakeholder care and engagement?
      4. How is the team/department making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the team/department received from law firms and other third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Law Firm of the Year: Small

    Open to firms that have 1 to 50 employees based in Yorkshire or earn up to £10 million in annual turnover nationwide

    1. What is behind the firm’s recent track record of success for clients?
    2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the firm and its lawyers.
    3. In what ways is the firm practising and championing client care and engagement?
    4. How is the firm making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the firm received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Law Firm of the Year: Medium

    • Open to firms that have 51 to 250 employees based in Yorkshire, or earn between £10 million and £50 million in annual turnover nationwide

      1. What is behind the firm’s recent track record of success for clients?
      2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the firm and its lawyers.
      3. In what ways is the firm practising and championing client care and engagement?
      4. How is the firm making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the firm received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Law Firm of the Year: Large

    • Open to firms that have 250+ employees based in Yorkshire, or earn £50 million+ in annual turnover nationwide

      1. What is behind the firm’s recent track record of success for clients?
      2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the firm and its lawyers.
      3. In what ways is the firm practising and championing client care and engagement?
      4. How is the firm making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the firm received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Niche Law Firm of the Year

    Open to boutique and single practice area firms in Yorkshire

    1. What is behind the firm’s recent track record of success for clients?
    2. Outline recent cases (maximum three) that best demonstrate the capabilities, commitment and calibre of the firm and its lawyers.
    3. In what ways is the firm practising and championing client care and engagement?
    4. How is the firm making a positive difference in the wider community?
    5. What recognition has the firm received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Lawtech Initiative of the Year

    Open to law firms only. Technology providers and partners may enter, but only in partnership with a client law firm

    1. How has the recent lawtech initiative delivered on its aims and benefited law firms and/or legal clients?
    2. What is the potential of the underlying technology beyond its initial application?
    3. Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the initiative to market?
    4. How did collaboration—between team members and/or client and developer—contribute to the initiative’s development and deployment?
    5. How is the underlying technology future-proofed in anticipation of further change in the legal sector?
    Enter Now

Talent

  • In-House Lawyer of the Year

    • Open to individuals who work within a public or private organisation’s in-house legal department

      1. How does the lawyer provide a vital contribution to the business success of the organisation?
      2. In what ways does the lawyer add significant value to essential work?
      3. When and how does the lawyer demonstrate a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation?
      4. How is the lawyer making a positive difference in the wider community?
      5. What recognition has the lawyer received from law firms and other third parties?
    Enter Now
  • Managing Partner of the Year

    Open to managing partners of law firms across Yorkshire

    1. How and why is the managing partner an outstanding leader?
    2. In what ways has the managing partner contributed significantly to their organisation’s growth?
    3. How does the managing partner demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    4. In what ways does the managing partner foster a collaborative and positive environment, where staff can be their best selves?
    5. How is the managing partner making a positive difference in the wider community?
    Enter Now
  • Partner of the Year

    • Open to partners of law firms across Yorkshire

      1. How and why is the partner an outstanding lawyer?
      2. Where is the partner a leader in terms of expertise and technical proficiency?
      3. How does the partner demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
      4. In what ways does the partner foster a collaborative and positive environment, where staff can be their best selves?
      5. How is the partner making a positive difference in the wider community?
    Enter Now
  • Rising Star of the Year

    Open to lawyers across Yorkshire

    1. In what ways is the lawyer a rising star, either within the profession or their own firm/organisation?
    2. In what capacity has the lawyer been involved in interesting, challenging or new areas of law, and how did their contribution significantly affect the outcome?
    3. How is the lawyer making a big impact internally, on the organisation’s growth and on colleagues?
    4. How does the lawyer demonstrate high levels of dedication to clients?
    5. How is the lawyer making a positive difference in the wider community?
    Enter Now
  • Trainee Solicitor of the Year

    Open to lawyers across Yorkshire employed by a law firm or in-house legal team under a current training contract

    1. In what ways does the trainee demonstrate excellent standards of work?
    2. How does the trainee go above and beyond expectations for clients and colleagues?
    3. What steps has the trainee taken to further their own professional development?
    4. How has the trainee contributed to business development for their firm/organisation?
    5. How is the trainee making a positive difference in the wider community?
    Enter Now
  • Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year

    Open to all lawyers in Yorkshire but nomination by a third party is required

    1. Why does the lawyer deserve the recognition of this prestigious award?
    2. How has the lawyer made a recent and outstanding contribution to their firm/organisation, the local or national legal profession or other area?
    3. In what ways is the lawyer a leader in their practice area?
    4. How does the lawyer demonstrate a commitment to excellence in everything they do?
    5. How does the lawyer serve as a role model for the profession in Yorkshire and further afield?
    Enter Now

Are you ready to enter The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025?

The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements.

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