Entry Criteria
All lawyers entering any category should please note as follows:
- Submissions should, as far as practical, not exceed 1,000 words;
- Submissions should be category specific i.e. should relate specifically to the particular category entered;
- The awards relate (in general) to the period commencing 1st April 2024 to 1st June 2025;
- There is no precise ‘formula’ to be followed in any submission for any category of award but, as stated, submissions should focus on the category of award being entered and refer as concisely as possible to the grounds or reasons why the firm of solicitors/individual solicitor/team of solicitors or lawyers or service provider should receive the relevant award;
- If, for whatever reason, in the opinion of the judges, it is considered there are not sufficient entries in a specific category, the judges may withdraw that category from the awards;
- The decisions of the panel of judges are final.
The ADR Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year Award will honour a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services relating to alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, conciliation, expert adjudication et cetera whether as the independent neutral or a representative of a party to the process).
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category; and
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category
Open to all in house banking and finance lawyers and legal teams (whether in-house or working in law firms) that specialise in Banking and Finance in Ireland
Entry criteria:
Entries for this award should focus on a single banking or finance file, deal, or case that has a significant Irish element to it and that sets new standards in the delivery of legal services, thereby demonstrating the firm’s market-leading position. They should summarise the matters key features, explain its significance and outline the team’s role.
The judging panel will be looking for evidence of:
- Legal expertise and innovation
- Project management skills
- Client satisfaction and value for money
Please include the following information:
- Describe the deal and why it was important.
- What was your team’s role on the deal or case, include details of team members and lead lawyer and explain why your team excelled against the following criteria: legal expertise and innovation, project management skills and team working.
- Provide evidence of client satisfaction and the ‘value’ your team brought to the table. What difference did the team make?
The Bid Manager/ Team of the Year category honors a bid manager or team that has the skills to prepare and submit a winning bid, whilst taking ownership of the end-to-end bid process. The award is for the Bid manager or staff within a team (who does not have to be a solicitor but must be an employee of the submitting firm) who is responsible for creating and overseeing the bid: a persuasive proposal – on behalf of their law firm to gain a business contract for the provision of legal services.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Bid Strategy and Planning information
- Evidence of collaboration and teamwork
- The entrant should also include in their submission the approx. size of the successful bid/s they have won and disclose and if they wish include any of the public tenders they have won.
A submission in this category may (but it is not absolutely necessary to do so) focus on a single case determined since April 2024 that may be characterised as being of significance in the legal ‘landscape’ of Ireland.
The Civil Litigation Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year honours a litigation law firm, team or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated a sense of excellence in litigation.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category;
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
A submission in this category may (but it is not necessary to do so) focus on a single case determined since April 2024 that may be characterised as being of significance in the legal ‘landscape’ of Ireland.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the region of Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin) Munster, Connacht / Ulster and the recipient will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the firm must be based within the selected region.
The Corporate/Commercial Law Team/Lawyer of the Year Award honours a corporate/commercial law team or lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the delivery of corporate/commercial law services during recent times and in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients
The Criminal Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year Award honours a criminal law firm, team or lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services in the context of the criminal law during recent times and in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients
A submission in this category may (but it is not absolutely necessary to do so) focus on a single case that may be characterised as being of significance in the legal ‘landscape’ of Ireland.
The Diversity and Inclusion Law Firm of the Year Award honours a law firm that promotes diversity, inclusion, social mobility and equality and has demonstrated an innovative approach to attracting and hiring talent from diverse backgrounds.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Policy (policies) of recruitment, retention and promotion of a diverse and flexible workforce;
- One, some, or all aspects of diversity (including gender, ethnicity, social mobility, disability and sexual orientation);
- Organisational commitment to a policy or policies which have been put into action for partners, employees or clients, and which demonstrate measurable results relating to the above.
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The Employment Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year Award honours an employment law firm, team or individual lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of employment law services during recent times and in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category;
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
A submission in this category may (but it is not absolutely necessary to do so) relate to litigation or other relevant legal service(s) provided by the team/individual during the period under review.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster
and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in this category, the principal practice office must be based within the selected region.
The Excellence & Innovation in Client Service Award honours a firm who has implemented a programme or an initiative which demonstrates innovation and a commitment to continued client care and excellence during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Description of innovative service/initiative provided;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category;
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the region of Dublin (incl. City and County) and the recipient will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in this category, the principal practice office must be based in Dublin (incl. City & County).
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The Excellence in Communication Award honours a law firm who has deployed a marketing programme and/or a programme of communication with clients and/or prospective clients which reflect positively on the legal profession in Ireland and had a positive effect on the firm involved and their clients during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Example(s) of marketing/communications initiatives implemented that demonstrate an ability to generate new business opportunities and retain existing clients;
- Example(s) of creative campaign(s).
The Family Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year Award honours a legal firm, team or lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in family law matters during recent times and in particular,
since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in this category, the principal practice office must be based within the selected region.
The In-House (non-civil service/public sector) Legal Team/Lawyer of the Year Award honours an in-house legal team or an in-house lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services to the ‘internal’ clients of the company/corporation/legal entity during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024. (This award is not open to legal departments within the Civil Service or the wider Public Sector.)
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Demonstration of the provision of effective, strategic, and timely legal advice within the organisation; and an awareness of cross-disciplinary inputs (where relevant);
- Evidence of an awareness of developments in the law and other related issues affecting the ‘internal client’ and the communication of such developments to the internal client(s) on a regular basis; and
- Evidence of result-focussed professionalism demonstrating the necessity of providing legal but practical solutions expressed with great clarity in relation to the ‘issues’ (legal work) presented by the internal client.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the firm must be based within the selected region.
The Law Book of the Year Award will honour and recognise the excellence of an author or authors of a book published during the 18 months to 30th June 2025 (provided that the book is not nominated for the Irish Law Awards in previous years) which the judging panel recognise as making a significant contribution to Irish jurisprudence/ law/ legal practice.
The award-winning book may be written by a legal practitioner or academic.
Could all entrants please state the name of the publication in their application.
5 copies of each entry will need to be posted to Ashville Media Offices to distribute to the Judges for review.
Events Team, Irish Law Awards 2024, Ashville Media Group, Unit 55 Parkwest Road, Parkwest Industrial estate, Dublin 12, D12 X9F9
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The Law Firm Innovation Award seeks to recognise a law firm that has broken new ground (in terms of innovation) in the delivery of legal services.The demonstration of cutting-edge innovation may involve the creation of a new suite of a valueadded service or services that are ‘client-facing’ or may result in a transformation of a key element of the firm’s work processes.
This award may honour an individual or a team that span a number of departments relating perhaps to the implementation of a facet of modern technology.
A submission in this category may (but it is not absolutely necessary to do so) focus on a single case determined since April 2024 that may be characterised as being of significance in the legal ‘landscape’ of Ireland.
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The Law Firm of the Year Award honours an outstanding firm of solicitors who are accepted as having demonstrated an exceptional achievement or achievements in the law during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024. As well as celebrating exceptional achievement or achievements, this award will publicise the award-winning law firm as epitomising the ideals of the legal profession.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category;
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in this category, the principal practice office of a firm must be based within the selected region or you can also directly enter the overall “Law Firm of the Year” category.
The Law School of the Year Award celebrates a law school in Ireland that is regarded by the judges as having demonstrated during the period under review a significant degree of excellence in the teaching of the law.
The Law Student of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the academic legal achievements and other overall achievements of a student studying law in a third level
college or university during 2023/2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Why the law student in question should be considered for the award and why he/she is determined to pursue a career in law;
- Academic achievements and relevant work experience, if any, and
- Extra-curricular activities or community/voluntary work – which does not have to be relevant to the study of law.
The Lawyer of the Year Award is open to all lawyers and honours an individual who has demonstrated in an exemplary manner an exceptional achievement or achievements in the law during the year under review or whose achievements in the law over a period of time deserve to be celebrated.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category, and
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate an individual in these categories, any principal practice office must be based within the selected region.
The Legal Educator of the Year Award recognises and celebrates educators who have made significant contributions to the area of law-related education in Ireland. This category is open to all educators in the Irish legal system active and teaching, and the criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions
- Delivery of innovative teaching practices
- Ability to enhance student learning
- Student Development
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The Legal Executive of the Year Award celebrates a legal executive who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
Applicants for Legal Executive of the Year should be Registered Members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and expertise relevant to the category; and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
The Mental Health & Capacity Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year Award will honour a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services relating to mental health & capacity law during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criteria set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients or their representatives.
The Personal Injury/Medical Negligence Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year will honour a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated a sense of excellence in the provision of legal services relating to personal injury/medical negligence matters during recent times and in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category, and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
The Pro Bono Publico/Community Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year Award will celebrate a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated a sense of dedication in the provision of legal services which involved a substantial pro bono publico or community interest element in recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
- An outline of the impact and results achieved for the pro bono publico/community client.
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The Probate Law Firm/ Team/Lawyer of the Year Award will honour a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services relating to probate law during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
The Property Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year Award will honour a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal services relating to a property or property matters (including construction) during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
- Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category; and
- Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the firm must be based within the selected region.
The Public Sector/Civil Service Legal Team/Lawyer of the Year Award honours a Public Sector/ Civil Service law team or individual lawyer (within the Civil Service or the Public Service i.e. Semi-State Agencies and Bodies of Ireland) that has demonstrated a sense of excellence in the provision of legal services to the internal client(s) during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Demonstration of the provision of effective, strategic, and timely legal advice within the organisation; and the awareness of cross-disciplinary inputs (where relevant);
- Awareness of developments in the law and other related issues affecting the ‘internal client’ and the communication of such developments to the internal client(s) on a regular basis; and
- A result-focussed professionalism demonstrating the necessity of providing legal but practical solutions expressed with great clarity in relation to the ‘issues’ (legal work) presented by the internal client.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the firm must be based within the selected region.
The Service Provider of the Year Award celebrates an outstanding provider of legal services who is accepted as having demonstrated excellence in the provision of legal or related services to the legal profession during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
- Quality of services offered;
- Extent of delivery of the concept of excellence in client care; and
- Value for money
We are now offering the option for Service Provider Finalists to set a Pop Up at the awards on the night. Please email events@ashvillemediagroup.com for more information.
The Sole Practitioner of the Year Award honours an outstanding sole practitioner (a solicitor who is the only solicitor working in a firm~ if there is more than one nominated solicitor
working in the firm then the nominated solicitor is ineligible for this category ~ the Sole
Principal category may be an alternative option). The individual will have demonstrated in an exemplary manner an exceptional achievement or achievements in the law during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category, and
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the sole practitioner must be based within the selected region.
The Sole Principal of the Year Award honours an outstanding firm of solicitors headed by a sole principal (a sole principal is the only owner of the firm and has other solicitors working in the firm. A sole practitioner (where the firm has only one solicitor) is ineligible for this
category ~ the Sole Practitioner category may be an alternative option). The firm will have demonstrated in an exemplary manner an exceptional achievement or achievements in the law during recent times and, in particular, since April 2024.
The criterion set out in the foregoing paragraph should be reflected in submissions and such submissions should also refer to the following:
● Significance of an achievement or achievements relevant to the category;
● Quality of legal services offered and legal expertise relevant to the category, and
● Delivery of excellence in client service and effective communication with clients.
Nominations for this category will be based on/in the regions and recipients of awards will be announced for each region: Dublin (incl. City and County), Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster and Connacht/Ulster, who will then go forward for consideration for the overall national award.
To nominate a firm in these categories, the principal practice office of the relevant firm must be based within the selected region.
The winner of this category will be chosen by our judging panel.
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The recipient will be announced on the night.
