The finalists for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026, sponsored by Arken.legal, have been announced today (Friday 21st August) with 80 firms recognised for their commitment to organisational excellence and customer service success ahead of the annual celebration gala dinner on 8th October at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
The shortlist is the culmination of months of work – by the firms submitting their entries and by the expert judging panel who have scrutinised each entry to arrive at the individuals, firms and businesses recognised.
The winners will be announced live at The British Wills and Probate Awards. Tickets for the flagship ceremony are also now available priced at £299 +VAT plus an £10 donation to this year’s charity partner Once Upon a Smile. Discounted full table options are also available.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026
The awards evening offers firms the opportunity to spend time with peers in a relaxed if competitive forum, with extensive networking and social opportunities. Whether up for an award or simply keen to make the most of the opportunity to connect with professionals from around the sector, the British Wills and Probate Awards offers the best of both worlds.
Nationally loved comedian, actor and presenter Jason Manford has been confirmed as the host for this year’s awards. Manford’s career began when a performer didn’t arrive for an evening set and the 17-year-old stepped in to fill the gap, entertaining the nation ever since. From 8 Out of 10 Cats to The Masked Singer, Children in Need, Big Night of Musicals and more, Manford brings warmth, wit and a genuine connection with audiences across the UK.
Congratulating this year’s finalists, Pippa Shepherd, chief operating officer of headline sponsor Arken.Legal said: “Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s British Wills & Probate Awards. To be recognised is a huge achievement, and you should be rightly proud of the work that has brought you to this point. We’re delighted to be celebrating alongside you and wish every finalist the very best of luck for the big night.”
David Opie is managing director of Today’s Media, the publishers of Today’s Wills and Probate and organisers of the awards. He said: “We’re delighted to be working with Pippa and the Arken.Legal team again this year to bring the British Wills and Probate Awards 2026 to life! It’s the usual cliché, but these events simply don’t happen without the support of all the individuals, firms and businesses who enter, and all our sponsors.
“A huge thank you to everybody and congratulations to all the shortlisted firms. We look forward to welcoming you along on the night.”
Today’s Media also expresses thanks to the sponsors of this year’s event. Headline Sponsor Arken.Legal returns, having sponsored in 2025 and been the inaugural sponsor in 2018. Property Solutions Group, incorporating Southey & Co, is also back as the evening after party and entertainment sponsor.
The welcome drinks sponsor is Chancery Valuations and the category sponsors are Superlawyer, Currencies Direct, CLSQ, The Estate Registry, Golding Young, The Society of Will Writers, Zedra, WillSuite, CILEX, Ochresoft, LEAP Estates, Finders International, Property Ladder Group, Provira, Fraser and Fraser, Untangled, Move With Us, Minerva, CTT Group, and HAIG Legal Group and Estate Research.
A handful of sponsorship options remain available. For more information please contact Donna Opie on 0330 1000 839 or email donna.opie@todaysmedia.co.uk.
The Finalists for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026
Best Use of Technology
- Estatesearch
- Inheritly
- The Estate Registry
- Sort & Store
- Superlawyer
- Swift Values
Unsung Hero of the Year | Sponsored by Fraser and Fraser
- Elena Angeli | Shakespeare Martineau
- Sharon Baker | Mowll & Mowll
- Vicki Keepen | Kings Court Trust
- Tricia Mistry | Simpler Law
- Rowena Stoute | Freeths LLP
- Stan Williets | Talbots Law
Court of Protection Team of the Year
- Anthony Collins
- Anthony Gold Solicitors
- Hugh James
- Hugh Jones Solicitors
- JMW Solicitors LLP
- Miles and Partners LLP
Community & Charity Champions
- Amphlett Lissimore
- Circe Law
- CTT Private Client
- Freeths LLP
- PCS Legal
- Spall Clark Solicitors
Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands | Sponsored by The Property Ladder Group
- Duncan & Toplis Legal Services
- gunnercooke LLP
- Myerson Solicitors
- Right Legal Group
- Taylor Emmet
- ZEDRA
Probate Provider of the Year – South | Sponsored by CLSQ
- Herrington Carmichael
- Kings Court Trust
- Nockolds
- Octopus Legacy
- Premier Solicitors
Pioneers of the Year | Sponsored by CTT Group
- AWAY Wills
- Farewill
- Fisher Jones Greenwood
- Simpler Law Ltd
Estate Planning Consultant of the Year | Sponsored by Society of Will Writers
- Bal Budesha | Maple Wills
- Helen Davies | Heritage Estate Planning
- Nellie McQuinn | AWAY Wills
- Alex Truesdale | Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
Best Place to Work | Sponsored by Superlawyer
- Birketts LLP
- Blanchards Bailey
- IMD Solicitors LLP
- Ison Harrison Solicitors
- PCS Legal
- Squiggle Consult
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by Zedra
- Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- AWAY Wills
- CTT Private Client
- ELM Legal Services
- Heritage Estate Planning
- Secure Inheritance Legal Services
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Large | Sponsored by WillSuite
- Heritage Wills
- Octopus Legacy
- Simpler Law
- Solidus Independent Estate Planning
Legal Supplier of the Year | Sponsored by CILEX
- Estatesearch
- Estate Research
- Finders International
- LEAP Estates
- Probate.Auction
- The Property Ladder Group Ltd
Contentious Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by Haig Legal Group
- Mel Grose | Coodes Solicitors
- Alexander Learmonth KC | New Square Chambers
- Paul Levy | Druces LLP
- James McKean | New Square Chambers
- Scott Taylor | Moore Barlow
- Andrew Wilkinson | Shakespeare Martineau
Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by Move With Us
- Anthony Gold Solicitors
- Blanchards Bailey
- Buckles Law
- Clarke Willmott
- Stevens & Bolton
- Taylor Emmet
Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Large | Sponsored by Golding Young
- Freeths LLP
- HCR Legal LLP
- Hugh James
- IDR Law
- Irwin Mitchell LLP
- Slee Blackwell LLP
Probate Research Firm of the Year | Sponsored by Currencies Direct
- Estate Research
- Finders International
- Fraser and Fraser
- Pro-Gen Research Limited
- Title Research
Tax & Trusts Team of the Year | Sponsored by Provira
- gunnercooke LLP
- Herrington Carmichael
- Lawson West Solicitors
- Mayo Wynne Baxter
- Myerson Solicitors
- Zedra Trust Company
One to Watch Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by The Estate Registry
- Hayley Bastable | Maple Wills
- Sarah Farren | Farnworth Rose
- Zoe Phillips | Fidelis Legal Services
- Shannon Robey | Fisher Jones Greenwood
- Kristie Scott | The Death Planner
Private Client Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by Finders International
- Paul Clark | Spall Clark Solicitors
- Jordan Grimbley | Ison Harrison Solicitors
- Amy Lane | gunnercooke LLP
- Joanna Longfellow| JWP Solicitors
- Daniel Rourke| IMD Solicitors
Private Client Firm of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by Ochresoft
- GA Solicitors
- HCC Solicitors
- Hugh Jones Solicitors
- Jordans Solicitors
- Myerson Solicitors
- Stephensons Solicitors LLP
Private Client Firm of the Year – Large | Sponsored by LEAP Estates
- Clarke Willmott LLP
- HCR Law
- Hugh James
- Irwin Mitchell
- Taylor Emmet
- Wards Solicitors
Customer Service Champions | Sponsored by Minerva
- Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- Farewill
- GA Solicitors
- Octopus Legacy
- Pavilion Row
- Pro-Gen Research Limited
One Response
Wishing all those shortlisted the very best ahead of October’s event, being recognised is a real achievement and a testament to the commitment, innovation and client care driving our profession forward.
A great opportunity to come together, reflect on progress, and champion those raising standards across wills, probate and estate planning.
Good luck to all .. and look forward to seeing you there !