The shortlist for the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025, sponsored by Arken.legal, has been announced ahead of the black-tie celebration on 9th October.
Now in its 8th year, the awards welcomes submissions from across the wills, probate, tax, trust and estate planning communities with 22 carefully curated categories, each with stringent criteria, uniquely recognising the skills, experience and expertise of individuals and organisations in the unregulated and regulated sectors. A panel of experts have reviewed each of the entries to arrive at this year’s shortlist; and it doesn’t disappoint with well known and respected names alongside some up-and-coming stars of the sector.
Commenting on the calibre of firms and names on the shortlist Arken.legal CEO Anthony Philips said being on the shortlist reflected ‘the incredible work, commitment, and impact’ firms had made over the past year, adding
“It’s inspiring to see firms and suppliers continually pushing boundaries to elevate the sector. The quality of entries this year truly highlights the hard work and commitment that underpin excellence in our field.”
Congratulations to all the firms shortlisted for this year’s British Wills and Probate Awards! We hope to see you in Manchester this October to celebrate your achievements. Tables are booking fast so be sure to secure your spot. Let’s come together on 9th October to honour the very best in the industry!”
Alongside celebrating excellence in the wills and probate profession, the awards facilitates extensive networking opportunities throughout the evening and is an ideal occasion to meet with industry colleagues and friends during the Champagne Reception, sponsored by Finders International, and After-Party, sponsored by Property Solutions Group (PSG, featuring Southey & Co). 450 practitioners from across the private client spectrum will attend this year’s awards hosted at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester.
Returning by popular demand, magician and funny man Ben Hanlin will host the 2025 awards after successfully taking over the mantle from Jennie Bond last year. Hanlin has appeared on television globally and was a contestant on ITV’s Dancing on Ice where he reached the semi finals. Since starring in ITV2 show “Tricked” in which he performed magic and pranks on celebrities and members of the public he has amassed over 2 million followers across his social media channels. He says his big passion is still performing live in front of audiences and his goal is always to make his shows funny, amazing and interactive.
Tickets for this flagship event in the private client calendar are available now priced at £289 ex VAT per person which includes an optional £10 per ticket going to the awards’ chosen charity LawCare; the mental health charity for the legal sector. The charity offers confidential emotional support, peer support, and information for people working in legal sector, advocating for improvements in mental health practices within legal workplaces and actively lead cultural transformation through education, training, and research for 25 years.
Individual tickets, half (6) and full (12) tables available.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO THE BRITISH WILLS AND PROBATE AWARDS 2025
There are a handful of sponsorship opportunities still available and Today’s Media would like to thank all this years’ supporters, without whom events like this simply don’t happen. Thank you Headline Sponsor Arken.legal, Champagne Reception sponsor Finders International, After-Party sponsor Property Solutions Group (PSG, featuring Southey & Co) and all our category sponsors; The Estate Registry, WillSuite, LEAP Estates, The Law Superstore, Anglia Research, CILEX, Society of Will Writers, Fraser and Fraser, Provira, Ochresoft, Finders International, CLS, Probate.Auction, Estate Research, Zedra and Level. For sponsorship information please contact Grace Beech on 0330 1000 839 or email grace.beech@todaysmedia.co.uk.
British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 – Shortlist
Tax & Trust Team of the Year – Sponsored by Provira
- Irwin Mitchell LLP
- SE-Solicitors
- Thomson Snell & Passmore
- ZEDRA
- Thackray Williams Solicitors
Probate Research Firm of the Year – Sponsored by Probate Auction
- Finders International
- Title Research
- Fraser and Fraser
- Estate Research
- Anglia Research Services
Probate Provider of the Year – South – Sponsored by CLS
- Premier Solicitors
- Laurelo
- The Surrey Probate Practice Ltd
- SE-Solicitors
- Thackray Williams Solicitors
Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands
- Wilkes
- Forbes Solicitors
- Pavilion Row
- Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
- ZEDRA
- Sills & Betteridge LLP
Private Client Team of the Year – Large – Sponsored by LEAP Estates
- Brabners
- Freeths
- Morr & Co
- Wollens
- Hugh James
Private Client Team of the Year – Boutique – Sponsored by Ochresoft
- Pavilion Row
- Lawson West Solicitors
- Hugh Jones Solicitors
- GA Solicitors
- Mullis & Peake LLP Solicitors
- Circe Law Ltd
Private Client Practitioner of the Year – Sponsored by Finders International
- Jade Gani | Circe Law Ltd
- Paul David Clark | Spall Clark Solicitors
- Liz Fyfe | Thornton Jones Solicitors Ltd
- Jacqueline Emmerson | Emmersons Solicitors Ltd
- Christopher Linton | Wollens
- Russ Kaminski | Vault Private Client
One to Watch Practitioner of the Year – Sponsored by The Law Superstore
- Lucy Cresswell | Vault Private Client
- Ellie Sullivan | Stevens & Bolton LLP
- Muhammed Ali | Mullis & Peake LLP Solicitors
- Emily Robertson | Hanne & Co Solicitors
- Kamran Chughtai | Thackray Williams Solicitors
- Natasha Yelland | Spall Clark Solicitors
Legal Supplier of the Year – Sponsored by Cilex
- CTT
- Estatesearch Ltd
- The National Will Register
- Property Solutions Group
- Finders International
Legal Assistant of the Year – Sponsored by Fraser Fraser
- Abigail Ball | Sewell Mullings Logie
- Lorraine Marsh | Shakespeare Martineau
- The Eric Whitehead Partnership
Innovation & Transformation of the Year – Sponsored by Level
- Kings Court Trust
- Digilegal t/a Make a Will Online
- Rest Easier
- CTT
- Farewill
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Large – Sponsored by WillSuite
- Octopus Legacy
- Heritage Wills
- Squiggle Consult
- Brabners
- Private Client Solicitors
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique – Sponsored by Zedra
- AWAY Wills
- Kingswood Partnership
- ELM Legal Services
- Heritage Estate Planning
- Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
Estate Planning Consultant of the Year – Sponsored by The Society of Will Writers
- Andrea Bentham | Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates Limited
- Alex Truesdale | Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- Caroline Sandiford | Caroline Sandiford
- Helen Davies | Heritage Estate Planning
- Daniel Axelrod | Kingswood Partnership PFPL
Customer Service Champions
- Heritage Estate Planning
- NewLaw Solicitors
- Octopus Legacy
- Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates Limited
Court of Protection Team of the Year – Sponsored by Anglia Research
- Hugh James
- Debenhams Ottaway
- Redkite Solicitors
- Hugh Jones Solicitors
- Wilson Browne Solicitors
Best Use of Technology – Sponsored by The Estate Registry
- LEAP Estates
- IDR Law
- Swift Values
- Exizent
- Estatesearch Ltd
Community and Charity Champions – Sponsored by Just Clear
- HCC Solicitors
- Talbots Law
- Squiggle Consult Ltd
- Wilkes
- PCS Legal
Best Place to Work
- Thornton Jones Solicitors Ltd
- Myerson Solicitors
- EMW Law LLP
- Octopus Legacy
- Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Contentious Practitioner of the Year
- Andrew Bishop | Rothley Law Limited
- Scott Taylor | Moore Barlow
- Mel Grose | Coodes Solicitors
- Richard Thomas | IDR Law
- Tony Cockayne | Michelmores
Contentious Wills and Probate team – Boutique
- Hugh James
- Shakespeare Martineau
- Michelmores
- Taylor Emmet
- Forbes Solicitors
- Cartmell Shepherd Limited
Contentious Wills and Probate team – Large
- Freeths LLP
- IDR Law
- Birketts LLP
- Myerson Solicitors
- Irwin Mitchell LLP
On behalf of the organisers Today’s Media, Headline Sponsors Arken.legal and all our premium and category sponsors, congratulations all those shortlisted.
