Manchester Legal Awards 2025 now open for entries

The Manchester Law Society has announced the return of the sixteenth annual Manchester Legal Awards, inviting entries from across the North West to celebrate the region’s best legal talent.

Recognising achievement, impact, and hard work, the awards span a diverse range of categories, including four new additions: Corporate Culture and Wellbeing Champions of the Year, In-House Team of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year, and Sustainability Champions of the Year, encouraging individuals, teams, firms, and chambers of all sizes to enter.

In a historic first, the 2025 awards ceremony will take place at a new venue – Manchester’s iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. Winners will be revealed at a black-tie event on Thursday, 3rd July.

Fran Eccles-Bech, chief executive of the Manchester Law Society, said: “We’re proud to showcase the exceptional talent that makes Manchester stand out as a hub for legal excellence. These awards offer a platform for everyone to demonstrate their hard work and achievements.

“This year, we’re very excited to host the awards at a new, larger venue – the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – allowing us to bring even more people together to celebrate the fabulous talent across our region.

“If modesty or a belief that you don’t stand a chance of winning has prevented you from submitting an entry in the past, I want to assure you that everyone has an equal chance of winning, irrespective of the size, weight or reputation of the firm or chambers they represent.

“Our judging process is fair and transparent, with a panel of judges that represent a wonderfully varied cross-section of experience and opinion.

“With 23 categories including four exciting new ones, there’s an opportunity for everyone to shine. These awards aren’t just about winning – they’re about celebrating the remarkable work being done in our field.”

All entries will be assessed against four criteria by a panel of judges from the legal and business community, apart from the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be in the gift of the Manchester Law Society Council.

The awards are free to enter and there are 23 categories:

 Corporate Culture and Wellbeing Champions of the Year
 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champions of the Year
 Sustainability Champions of the Year
 Corporate/Commercial Team of the Year
 Crime Team of the Year
 Employment Team of the Year
 Family Team of the Year
 In-house Team of the Year
 Litigation Team of the Year
 Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team of the Year
 Private Client Team of the Year
 Property Team of the Year
 Regulatory Team of the Year
 Trainee/Paralegal/Apprentice/Legal Executive of the Year
 Solicitor of the Year
 Barrister of the Year
 Partner of the Year
 Unsung Hero of the Year
 Barristers’ Chambers of the Year
 Small Law Firm of the Year (1-5 partners nationally)
 Medium Law Firm of the Year (6-20 partners nationally)
 Large Law Firm of the Year (20+ partners nationally)
 Lifetime Achievement

The deadline for entries is Friday 28th March.

For more information visit: www.manchesterlegalawards.co.uk and follow @MLAwards.

There are limited sponsorship and advertising opportunities available.

Please contact: mlawards@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk for further information.