Family Law Awards 2021 Categories
Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law
This award recognises an individual who has made a major contribution to the field of family law, either through practice, commentary, teaching, pro bono and/or judicially. The winner is then decided by the judging panel. The award was renamed in honour of John Cornwell who won the award in 2012 before he died in February 2013. He dedicated his working life to the development and progress of family law. In 1982 he founded the Solicitors' Family Law Association (now Resolution), drafting a code of conduct that has guided family law solicitors to practice to the highest standards.
This award is now open for entries, to nominate your candidate, please email contact us with a brief statement outlining why they should win.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Associate Solicitor of the Year
A solicitor with over 5 years post qualification experience who the judges believe has made a major contribution to the field of family law through their practice, shown that they have provided outstanding client service and demonstrated teamwork within their firm, with external lawyers and/or other professionals.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Case of the Year
This award will be presented to an individual or organisation involved with one of the most important family law cases that was been concluded during the period April 2020 to April 2021. 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.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Chambers of the Year: London / Regional
The sets that are based in London, and outside of London, that have clearly demonstrated they have developed the field of family law by consistently performing at the higher court levels. Criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Quality of legal services / range of expertise offered
- Recent reported cases in which the chambers has acted
- Pro bono initiatives/services benefiting the local community
- External nominations/testimonials (supporting material)
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Chartered Legal Executive of the Year
An individual who the family law community recognise as having demonstrated excellence in their role.
The winner is then voted for online by the family law community.
Clerking Team of the Year
The barristers' clerking team that has demonstrated that it has provided an outstanding quality of legal service in the family law field and also displayed high levels of teamwork.
The winner is then voted for online by the family law community.
Family Law Community Interaction Award
Activities covered by this award include voluntary community programmes, corporate social responsibility programmes, and pro bono activity in communities in the UK or abroad. Entries are invited from firms, chambers, councils and charitable organisations whose innovative programmes and exceptional commitment to family law have made a marked difference to the communities in which they operate.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Commentator of the Year
An award for the commentator who the family law community consider to have provided the most useful commentary to help them in their practice. The commentary could have been contained in any format including books, journal articles, videos or blogs.
The winner is then voted for online by the family law community.
Family Law Dispute Resolution Team of the Year
The Appropriate Dispute Resolution team who the judges believe has shown excellence through their practice.
- External nominations / testimonials (supporting material);
- Quality of legal services offered;
- Pro bono initiatives / services benefiting the local community.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Firm of the Year: London / Midlands and Wales / North / South
The firm or local authority in each region that has demonstrated it has provided outstanding quality of legal service for its clients and has displayed high levels of teamwork within its firm or local authority, with external lawyers and/or other professionals. The region in which a firm sits is determined by the head office address. Criteria which the judging panel will consider include the following:
- Quality of legal services offered
- Recent reported cases in which the firm has acted
- Pro bono initiatives / services benefiting the local community
- Range of expertise within the firm
- Training and career progression of employees
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Innovation of the Year
This award recognises a law firm, set of chambers or supplier 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 family law practice.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Junior barrister of the Year
A barrister of at least 5 years post call who has made a major contribution to the field of family law through their advice and high-level advocacy.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Partner of the Year
The individual who the judges believe has made a major contribution to the field of family law through their practice, and shown that they have executed a strategic vision through outstanding leadership.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law QC of the Year
A QC who has made a major contribution to the field of family law through their advice and high-level advocacy.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel
Family Law Young Barrister of the Year
A barrister under 5 years post call who the judges believe has stood out from their peers by demonstrating that they have the skills and knowledge to become a leading family lawyer of the future. This could be demonstrated, for example, by positive external nominations, acting in a reported case or through pro bono work. Previous winners of this award category are ineligible.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year
A solicitor with under 5 years post qualification experience who the judges believe has stood out from their peers by demonstrating that they have the skills and knowledge to become a leading family lawyer of the future. This could be demonstrated, for example, by positive external nominations, acting in a reported case or through pro bono work. Previous winners of this award category are ineligible.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel.
International Family Lawyer of the Year
A lawyer who the judges believe has made a major contribution to the field of international family law and led the way for other practitioners to follow.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel
Family Law Wellbeing Award
The award will recognize the family law firm, chambers or other legal organisation, which has demonstrated the strongest commitment to providing or promoting a working environment that supports the mental and physical health of its staff, members or colleagues and enables them to maintain a healthy balance between their work pressures and home life.
The winner is then decided by the judging panel