The early bird entry deadline for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026, sponsored by Arken, is midnight tonight (Friday 22nd May). The special rate of £129 +VAT increases from tomorrow to £169 +VAT which entitles firms, individuals and businesses to enter up to three categories. A single category entry rate of £89 +VAT is also available.
Firm need only register at this stage to benefit from the discounted entry fee; final submissions are due by midnight on Friday 10th July 2026. Organised by Today’s Media, the publishers of Today’s Wills and Probate, The British Wills and Probate Awards will return to Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Thursday 8th October 2026.
CLICK HERE to take advantage of early bird entry for the British Wills and Probate Awards 2026.
Having been established in 2018, The British Wills and Probate Awards, affectionately known as the “BWAPs”, are now a firm favourite in the legal calendar, welcoming entries from over 150 organisations across the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning professionals up and down the country. Critically, and uniquely, since their inception the awards have championed the regulated solicitor and unregulated will writing communities with dedicated categories for both.
Across 23 categories individuals, firms and businesses have an array of options to showcase their success both amongst peers, and externally to prospective clients, introducers and collaborators. A British Wills and Probate Award is a recognition of exceptional technical expertise, alongside business acumen and customer service excellence. Firms can choose from several categories to showcase their achievements, including rising stars and established fee earners, individual and collective expertise, business success, and initiatives for workplace wellbeing and support.
Returning favourites include Best Place to Work and Customer Service Champions, Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year, Court of Protection Team of the Year, and Estate Planning Firm of the Year. This year they are complemented by new for 2026 categories include Pioneers of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year and Wealth Management Firm of the Year, all of which recognise the increasingly holistic needs of clients and the opportunities for legal firms to work with other service providers to expand their capabilities.
CLICK HERE to view the categories for the British Wills and Probate Awards 2026.
The awards are once again supported by a host of organisations committed to working alongside private client professionals for the betterment of their business, with Arken.legal proudly returning as headline sponsor.
Commenting on the company’s longstanding support for the awards, Arken CEO Anthony Philips said: “Arken is delighted to be supporting the British Wills and Probate Awards again this year.
“Having been a part of the programme every year since it launched, it is with a huge amount of pride that we have the privilege of being the headline sponsor again at what is now widely regarded as the pre-eminent awards event for firms, individuals and businesses in the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning communities.
“The ethos of the event chimes with our own business values of excellence, purpose and inclusion. We look forward to being part of the celebrations recognising the important and critical work of the sector.”
The organisers of the British Wills and Probate Awards are grateful for the support of Superlawyer, Currencies Direct, CLS, 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, Ampla Finance, Move With Us, Minerva and Property Solutions Group.
For information about sponsorship please contact Donna Opie on 0330 1000 839 or email donna.opie@todaysmedia.co.uk.
Key dates
- Early bird entry deadline: Friday 22nd May 2026
- Final registration for entry deadline: Friday 3rd July 2026
- Final submission deadline: Friday 10th July 2026
- Shortlist: Friday 21st August 2026
- British Wills and Probate Awards 2026: Thursday 8th October 2026
Categories for The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026
- Legal Supplier of the Year: Sponsored by CILEX
- Private Client Practitioner of the Year: Sponsored by Finders International
- Unsung Hero of the Year: Sponsored by Fraser and Fraser
- Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year –Large: Sponsored by Golding Young
- Private Client Firm of the Year – Large: Sponsored by LEAP Estates
- Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Boutique: Sponsored by Move With Us
- Private Client Firm of the Year – Boutique: Sponsored by Ochresoft
- Tax & Trusts Team of the Year: Sponsored by Provira
- Best Place to Work: Sponsored by Superlawyer
- Estate Planning Consultant of the Year: Sponsored by Society of Will Writers
- Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands: Sponsored by Property Ladder Group
- Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Large: Sponsored by WillSuite
- Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique: Sponsored by Zedra
- Probate Provider of the Year – South: Sponsored by CLS
- Probate Research Firm of the Year: Sponsored by Currencies Direct
- One to Watch Practitioner of the Year: Sponsored by The Estate Registry
- Best Use of Technology
- Community & Charity Champions
- Contentious Practitioner of the Year
- Court of Protection Team of the Year
- Customer Service Champions
- Pioneers of the Year
- New for 2026: Wealth Management Firm of the Year
