The legal industry plays a significant role in the UK economy, not only in terms of employment numbers but their overall contribution to the national economy, exports and the UK’s trade. As such, SME News is proud to present the Legal Awards, with the intention to recognise and spotlight the very best that this innovative and competitive industry has to offer.
SME News’ Legal Awards return to celebrate the hardworking and dedicated individuals and legal firms hailing from across the UK. We aim to recognise the best for their commitment, excellence, and determination to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
The legal industry plays a significant role in the UK economy, not only in terms of employment numbers but their overall contribution to the national economy, experts and the UK’s trade. As such, we are proud to host our annual Legal Awards with the intention to cast a spotlight on the very best that this sector has to offer.
The UK is home to law firms covering all sectors of the legal industry. An increase in specialist law firms has also helped to drive growth, which in-turn allows them to differentiate themselves from their competitors in a crowded and highly-competitive marketplace. Appealing to potential new clients and having a strong sense of direction is crucial to emerging law firms in the UK.
Taking part in SME News’ Legal Awards is the perfect way to show your employees the efforts are valued by the organisation, whilst also providing the public with evidence of your successes as a business. Notifying stakeholders of your participation in our programme indicates that your business is garnering the attention of third parties, and that word of your expertise and customer service are creating a buzz within this competitive sector.
Achieving success in the Legal Awards will provide you with evidence you need to prove, beyond doubt, that you stand apart from the competition. Enhancing your victory with visual reminders, allow for the promotion of your brand to extend even further, which in turn can attract talented new employees, looking to work for the best, and new clients and customers who are looking to work with those who provide only the best services.
Of course, our programme is open to all business within the UK’s legal sector, regardless of their size, and nominations are also accepted for talented and determined legal individuals too.
Our awards are based on merit, not the number of votes received. Our process works to ensure that we reward parties based on their excellence in the industry, the commitment to their clients and their dedication to services.
If you are, or know of a party deserving of recognition, then please feel free to nominate via the form or reach out to the programme coordinator directly for further details!
Key Dates
Entries Open:
Tuesday 10th December 2019
Entries Closed:
Monday 3rd February 2020
Winners Announced:
Expected in April 2020
Awards Coordinator
Kaven is a highly driven, committed and dedicated individual who sets himself high standards which comes across in everything he does. Kaven has a keen passion for business as well as the determination to offer great service and maximum benefit to each of SME News’ nominees and award winners.
Our Methodology
Researching nominees
The SME News team work ardently to identify market leaders, innovators and enterprising start-ups, driving many of the nominations themselves.
We also encourage external nominations via the SME News subscribers, online visitors, social media followers, clients and wider circulation.
Nominating parties are invited to put forward either third-party businesses whom they hold in high regard, or their own organisation.
Shortlisting nominees
All nominees are formally requested to accept their nomination. Should any firm or individual rather decline at this point, they are simply taken out of the running.
Those formally accepting are given the opportunity to submit additional materials in support of their nomination. Although there is no obligation to complete and supply material, we have found that many nominees value this stage, in the process, as much as our research team do.
Evaluating and judging
Our dedicated research team will assess all information presented to them.
The team gather information independently from a variety of publicly accessible sources, which are assessed alongside any material supplied by a nominating party or the nominee themselves.
The research team casts their final judgment, based on various criteria including: client dedication, innovation, business growth, longevity, online reputation, customer feedback and business performance.
The lucky winners
Once winners are determined, they are personally notified before any public announcement is made, allowing time for any communications throughout the wider business and the coordination of marketing strategies.
Unfortunately, not everyone can be a winner; however, all who take part are encouraged to come back next year.
Once the press embargo is lifted, details of our SME award winners will be made public via the website, award winners’ magazine and subscriber newsletter.
Making the most of your win
We are prepared to offer a range of promotional packages and items to SME award winners, which vary from inclusion in the free-of-charge winners’ directory, to trophies, content in our magazine and on our website.
We encourage all winners to publicly announce their win independently. Announcements via company websites, social media, via publicly released press releases, and through local and national press are all great ways of maximising the exposure which can be gained from such an amazing achievement. If you have need of further advice, on how to gain maximum exposure from your win, please feel free to get in touch. We are happy to assist our clients with their needs.
FAQsOur Winners
Our featured winners are included in our celebratory awards magazine, published online and circulated to the circulation of SME News. All winners are included in our winners directory. Once a year's winners have been announced the full list of winners for that year will be available to view by clicking on the equivalent button displayed below.
Testimonials
Our Awards Team
Jane Henderson - Director
Jane is one of three directors at AI Global Media, the publishing house behind SME News. Jane is committed to ensuring that each winner of an SME News award not only has a great experience but also gains maximum value for their win.
Jeremy Roe - Head of Research
Jeremy is dedicated to his research team and to the readers, nominees and award winners of SME News. Jeremy's diligent approach is carried across to this team members ensuring quality in the research carried out on behalf of SME News.
Martyn Walters – SME News Lead Researcher
Martyn joined the business in 2015 and rapidly became an integral part of the research team. Martyn has a keen interest in understanding businesses from those just starting out to those that have cemented their place in their market for decades or more. He also understands that an award win such as one of SME News’ can be a powerful marketing tool for small businesses making it key for the research team to select those most fitting and most worthy of one of these highly sought-after awards.
Steven Simpson - SME News Awards Team Leader
Steven came to the group in 2015 and has since proven to be a most respected, conscientious and valued team member. Steven oversees a number of SME News' key awards programmes ensuring that all nominees and winners receive a great experience from the team and that our winners are supported in gaining maximum exposure from such an amazing achievement.
Awards
AI Global Media Ltd
