Welcome to the submission site for
Family Law Awards 2020

Please note: We are not accepting nominations this year, only entries.  If you would like to nominate a firm, chambers or individual please contact them and encourage them to enter direct, perhaps forwarding a testimonial to help strengthen their entry.  Entries received direct from the organisation/individual/their PR consultant are always more detailed and therefore have a greater chance of being shortlisted. 
 
An organisation/individual can enter as many categories as they like.  
Register of interest
         
  • If you plan to set aside some time to complete your entry but want to let us know to expect your entry, please register your interest here
 
How to enter 
         
  • Carefully read the description of the category you wish to enter before starting your entry
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  • Read the tips for success (below) highlighting what the judges are looking for
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  • Explain in no more than 1,000 words why you deserve the Award: what you set out to do and what has been achieved. Each category has its own specified criteria, but each will require a 1,000 word statement typed into the submission box (we strongly recommend that you prepare your statement offline to avoid being timed out). The time frame that the content of the submission should cover is June 2019 – June 2020.
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  • The 3 voting categories; Family Law Chartered Legal Executive of the Year, Family Law Clerking Team of the Year and Family Law Commentator of the Year must also provide a 300 word profile that will be published on the voting website should they be shortlisted.
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  • Up to two supporting documents can be uploaded (these do not contribute towards your maximum word count). These supporting materials can be anything that you feel adds weight to your entry but the judges are particularly looking for evidence to support the criteria for each award category. Details of reported cases, any pro bono work undertaken and client testimonials would certainly fall into that category.
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  • When you have your submission statement and supporting materials ready, click on the 'Enter now' tab on the top right to create your profile. Once your profile is created, you can enter as many categories as you wish. Entry is free. Remember, do not create a profile until you have all materials ready.
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  • Nominations are no longer accepted, only entries from individuals, firms, representative from within the company (Marketing Manager/ Senior Clerk) or a PR company.
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  • The completed entry must be submitted by midnight on Friday 12 June 2020.
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  • Any questions, please email us or call 020 8652 2180.
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  • Good luck!

Tips for Success 
Be clear: An entry that is well-laid out will be easier for the judges to extract the relevant information from. Clear and concise should be your watchwords. 
 
Provide evidence: The judges need to see the hard facts that back up your claims so please provide clear evidence of success. 
 
Be concise: For some awards the judges will have to read through a large number of entries in a limited period of time. Therefore, while encyclopedia-thick entries are very worthy, it’s unlikely they will get the attention they deserve.

Be current: While we value the remarkable history of the UK family law community, the awards concentrate on this year's successes (with the exception of the Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law) therefore your entry should focus on achievements from June 2019 - June 2020.

Above and beyond: Remember the Awards reward excellence – that does not mean simply ticking the boxes, it means going above and beyond the call of duty. You need to demonstrate, with evidence, that you have done this.

Size isn’t important: Judges take into account the relative size of each firm involved and make their decision on the basis of the evidence in front of them. Small firms have succeeded in the past.

Supporting materials: If you are going to attach supporting material, then some guidance and context as to what they contain and why they are relevant is important. The judges are particularly looking for evidence to support the criteria for each award category. e.g. details of reported cases, any pro bono work undertaken and client testimonials.
 
Never assume: While the judges all have relevant experience, they won’t necessarily know the intricacies of your operation or sector. If it’s relevant to your entry, then describe the particular challenges you face.