Submission tips
& FAQs

The Legal News Wales Awards celebrate excellence in the business of law and highlight the outstanding contributions of the legal sector to the Welsh economy and society.

Below you'll find our submission guidelines and tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, covering the in-person interviews for finalists and the awards ceremony on the 5th June 2025.

Submission
notes

The Legal News Wales Awards 2025 comprise 12 categories and are open to any legal practice, in-house legal team or – where relevant – individual in the legal sector. The nominated law firm, team, barristers’ chambers or individual must have a base in Wales.

Find details of the criteria for each category here.

Please ensure submissions include:

Your contact details as directed on the form (linked from each category, here).
Contact details for the nominated organisation / individual.
Body text (max 1200 words) explaining how you have met the specific criteria of the chosen award category.
Testimonials where appropriate.

Please feel free to submit in as many categories as you wish.

Deadline:

The closing date for nominations is midnight on Sunday 30th March 2025.

Please use the online forms to make your submission.

Finalist announcements

Shortlisted applicants will be personally notified by the 4th April 2025, with all finalists announced by the 10th April 2025.

Judging week: in-person interviews with finalists

All finalists will be invited to meet our judging panel for a 15 to 20-minute private interview, after which the judges will cast their vote for their preferred winner.

Judging week takes place on the following dates and locations (further information will be sent to finalists):

Mon 28th April: Cardiff City Centre (10am – 2:30pm)
Tues 29th April: Tramshed Tech, Swansea (10am – 2:30pm)
Wed 30th April: Cardiff City Centre (11:30am – 2:30pm)
Thur 1st May: Cardiff City Centre (10am – 2:30pm)

Finalists will be notified of their day and time slot in advance and encouraged to bring up to 3 people from their organisation / team – or attend on their own, depending on the award category.

Scroll down for details of the awards ceremony on the 5th June 2025.

Enquiries

For general enquiries relating to the submission process, please contact awards@legalnewswales.com

Submission guidelines

Be clear & concise

Be concise, clear and offer a well laid-out submission to make it easier for the judges to extract the relevant information from your entry. Try not to deviate from the criteria requirements and please keep to the word count to help our judges give every entry the time they deserve.

Evidence success

Make sure you evidence your achievements and don't shy away from adding financial and operational results. All entries are submitted in the strictest of confidence. Please don't add links to websites or directory entries. Keep any testimonials added within the word count.

Be current

This year's awards focus on successes, impact, initiatives, investment and growth from the past 12-18 months. Your entry should focus on achievements from 01.07.2024 - 01.01.2025 - except for the Welsh Legal Hero Award, which has no time limit.

Above & beyond

Our judges are looking for exceptional examples - where you have gone above and beyond expectations or the norm.

Please evidence where you have done this to help your submission stand out!

Size isn't important

Our judges will take into account the size and resources of each organisation, and what's available to individuals. They will make their decisions based on the evidence in front of them, and responses in the in-person interviews for finalists. We encourage legal teams and organisations of all sizes to enter!

Enlighten us

Tell your story and inspire us. We're not looking for a polished PR piece but an entry that clearly showcases your passion, a clear vision and evidence of achievements to date. We're also keen to hear of any longer-term ambitions fuelled by these achievements and, of course, testimonials!

The awards
ceremony

The ceremony

The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 5th June 2025, at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel.

The evening celebrations start with a drinks reception from 6:30pm, followed by a three-course meal, and the awards ceremony. (Full timings will be announced shortly.)

How much are tickets?

A table of 10 is £950 +VAT

Individual tickets are priced at £95 +VAT

What does my ticket include?

Access to the drinks reception and a three-course meal.

Where can I buy my tickets?

Please click here to book your place.

If I/my organisation is shortlisted, do I get any free tickets to the Awards night?

Everyone is asked to purchase tickets from the website in advance of the evening. Priority is given to shortlisted companies and individuals but it is on a first-come-first served basis so you are advised to book early to guarantee the tickets you require.

Our Host

Our awards ceremony will be steered by experienced journalist and presenter, Sian Lloyd. Sian is a familiar face across the UK, presenting national programmes including BBC Breakfast, BBC Crimewatch Roadshow and Panorama. She has reported on some of the key moments in recent history as a senior correspondent for the BBC.

Sian began her TV and Radio career in Wales, as a reporter and then presenter of BBC Wales Today and the drive-time radio programme Good Evening Wales. Growing up in Wrexham, Sian learnt Welsh. She also presents Welsh language programmes on S4C.

Before becoming a journalist Sian trained as a solicitor in London and Hong Kong but followed her dream of becoming a reporter not long after qualifying. Sian is also an experienced Awards Host and Conference Chair and has extensive knowledge of the live events sector. She lives in Cardiff with her family, and after years of extensive travel for work, Sian is now based in Wales full time.

Dress code

Black-tie / cocktail dresses.

Dietary requirements

Dietary requirements should be sent directly to awards@legalnewswales.com no later than 15th May 2025, or at time of booking.

Pre-orders for drinks

An pre-order drinks form will be shared upon booking and completed forms should sent directly to the contact given at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel within the deadline stated. The Legal News Wales Awards team are unable to process these for you.

Accommodation discount

We have secured a limited number of discounted rooms at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel, from £142 GBP per night, to include breakfast.

To book: Please use the link below to book via our special rate for the Legal News Wales Awards, booking no later than 24 April 2025*.

Book your hotel room for Legal News Wales Awards, here.

Photography & Videography

Our production team includes a professional photographer and a videographer, who will capture the evening celebrations and award presentations. We will ask the winners for a few moments with our videographer to share their reactions on the night. We are happy to share the photos and videos with award winners for wider marketing use.

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* Please note: Room availability via our discounted rate is on a first-come, first-served basis.)