The British Wills and Probate Awards, dubbed ‘the Oscars of the probate world,’ returns today as plans for the 2024 ceremony ramp up. 10th October 2024 will see the return of the prestigious ceremony at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester alongside returning Headline Sponsor CTT Group. Early bird entry is available across a refreshed list of categories, reflecting the continuous dedication to innovation of organisers Today’s Media, and the changing nature of wills, tax, trust, probate and estate planning services.
First launched in 2018, the awards has grown from humble beginnings to welcoming over 450 practitioners to Manchester, and a further 250 online, in 2023. It remained steadfast in the face of the pandemic, switching to a wholly virtual ceremony before its current hybrid in-person and virtual event incarnation; still one of the only events which is simultaneously live streamed ensuring inclusivity for those unable to join in person.
Despite that growth and success, it has remained true to its core principles of recognising and celebrating excellence across the whole private client sector; uniquely welcoming and championing both regulated and will writing professionals. Indeed, it’s one of the primary reasons for Headline Sponsor CTT Group’s continued support for both the Today’s Wills and Probate publication, and the awards, says Clive Ponder, co-founder of CTT Group
“My support for TWP and the British Wills and Probate Awards has always been on the basis they truly represent the whole industry. This event has grown year on year and is provides a great platform to celebrate the innovation and success that has been achieved over the year.”
In its seventh year the team have refreshed many of the categories and criteria and introduced a number of new for 2024 categories to ensure that The British Wills and Probate Awards remains as relevant in 2024 as it was in 2018.
Alongside returning favourites, including “Best Place to Work,” “Court of Protection Team of the Year,” and “One to Watch Practitioner of the Year” the 2024 ceremony introduces two new contentious and non-contentious Practitioner of the Year categories, a specialist “Tax and Trust Team of the Year” and has revamped the Will Writing and Solicitor Firm of the Year categories.
2024 also sees the launch of a hugely important new category; “Wills and Probate Excellence,” sponsored by Arken.legal. The award, which will replace the “Today’s Wills and Probate Industry Champion”, embodies everything that Today’s Wills and Probate stands for as a news publication and everything The British Wills and Probate Awards was introduced to recognise; independence, integrity and a recognition of the incredible diversity of the profession. a category into which all the estate planning and solicitor categories will be entered, with the winner identified as being the cream of the crop.
Early bird entry is now open with firms and suppliers able to enter one category for a special rate of £89 +VAT, or up to three categories for £129 +VAT. The early bird rate is available until Friday 24th May at which point it goes up to £169 +VAT. Deadline for entry is Friday 5th July and deadline for final submissions is the week later, Friday 12th July.
Commenting on the overhaul of the categories, Today’s Media Managing Director David Opie says
“Seven years is a long time ago and it’s fair to say over that period private client work has evolved. If an event like The British Wills and Probate Awards remained static, it would very quickly become stale, and it wouldn’t reflect the incredible innovation the sector has gone through over the last seven years, or the work of the incredible professionals who deliver day in, day out, for their clients.
“It was a bit of case of “7 year itch!” We review the categories and criteria every year but this time it felt like it was more important than ever to account for the changing landscape of legal services and the role of the wills and probate community.”
A number of firms have already committed their support for the event with Exizent, Estatesearch, Fraser and Fraser, Ochresoft, Society of Willwriters, Institute of Legacy Management, LEAP, WillSuite, Finders International, Law Superstore, and Anglia Research already confirmed as sponsors. For more information about sponsorship please contact Grace Beech on 0330 1000 839 or email grace.beech@todaysmedia.co.uk.
The British Wills and Probate Awards 2024 Categories
- Best Use of Technology
- Probate Research Firm of the Year
- Estate Planning Consultant of the Year
- *NEW* Private Client Practitioner of the Year
- *NEW* Contentious Practitioner of the Year
- Community & Charity Champions
- Court of Protection Team of the Year
- Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Large
- Contentious Wills and Probate Team of the Year – Boutique
- Legal Supplier of the Year
- Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Large
- Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique
- Legal Assistant of the Year
- Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands
- Probate Provider of the Year – South
- Innovation & Transformation of the Year
- Best Place to Work
- *NEW* Tax and Trust Team of the Year
- One to Watch Practitioner of the Year
- Customer Service Champion
- Private Client Firm of the Year – Large
- Private Client Firm of the Year – Boutique
- *NEW* Wills and Probate Excellence Award
