The British Wills and Probate Awards, sponsored by Arken.legal crowned its winners at the annual ceremony hosted in Manchester on 8th October, celebrating excellence across the private client profession in stunning fashion at the largest ceremony to date.
Since launching in 2018 The British Wills and Probate Awards have uniquely championed the unregulated and regulated private client communities. This year saw a record breaking 500+ professionals come together at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel to recognise the very best of the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning profession.
Across 23 categories, firms, organisations and individuals from across the estate planning spectrum, and from up and down the country, were recognised for innovation, client care excellence and technical expertise. Commenting on the evening Managing Director at Headline Sponsor Arken Pippa Shepherd said: “A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Every single one of you is a hugely deserving winner, and it was fantastic to see your achievements recognised and celebrated on such a brilliant night. Arken.legal was incredibly proud to be part of the British Wills & Probate Awards, and we were particularly delighted to use the occasion to unveil our new look and product to the profession. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a memorable evening – and congratulations once again to all of the winners.”
Alongside Arken.legal returning as Headline Sponsor, Property Solutions Group incorporating Southey & Co, once again hosted the epic after party, complete with a Ministry of Sound DJ, returning for the second year. First-time supporter Chancery Valuations hosted the opening Networking reception and drinks.
The night was expertly compered by comedian, actor and presenter Jason Manford . Winners included Alex Truesdale Wills, who took home Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique with eponymous director Alex Truesdale also recognised as Estate Planning Consultant of the Year. Myerson Solicitors were also double winners, crowned Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands and Tax and Trust Team of the Year. Spall Clark were awarded Community and Charity Champions with Managing Director Paul Clark taking home the coveted Private Client Practitioner of the Year ahead of jointly highly commended Joanna Longfellow of JWP Solicitors and Daniel Rourke of IMD Solicitors. IMD would find themselves highly commended again in the Best Place to Work category, alongside PCS Legal, with the award going to Blanchards Bailey.
The Unsung Hero of the Year was Rowena Stoute of Freeths LLP, with Vicki Keepen of Kings Court Trust a worthy Highly Commended. Alexander Learmonth of New Square Chambers won Contentious Practitioner of the Year, with Scott Taylor Edwards of Moore Barlow Highly Commended. Learmonth topped his success off with the highly regarded Wills & Probate Excellence trophy, awarded by the judging panel to the very best entry of the night.
Amongst the suppliers The Property Ladder Group, Superlaywer, and Finders International all topped the Legal Supplier of the Year, Best Use of Technology and Probate Research Firm of the Year categories respectively.
Having reached capacity at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, organisers Today’s Media confirmed on the night the British Wills and Probate Awards will remain in Manchester but move to a larger venue, at Victoria Warehouse, for it’s 10th anniversary in 2027.
A full list of winners can be found below and on the British Wills and Probate Awards website
British Wills and Probate Awards 2026– Winners and Highly Commended
Best Use of Technology | Sponsored by Today’s Wills and Probate
- Winner: Superlawyer
- Highly Commended: The Estate Registry
Unsung Hero of the Year | Sponsored by Fraser and Fraser
- Winner: Rowena Stoute | Freeths LLP
- Highly Commended: Vicki Keepen | Kings Court Trust
Court of Protection Team of the Year | Sponsored by Arken.legal
- Winner: JMW Solicitors
- Highly Commended: Hugh James
Community and Charity Champions | Sponsored by Once Upon a Smile
- Winner: Spall Clark Solicitors
- Highly Commended: Circe Law
Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands | Sponsored by The Property Ladder Group
- Winner: Myerson Solicitors
- Highly Commended: Duncan & Toplis Legal Services
Probate Provider of the Year – South | Sponsored by CLSQ
- Winner: Octopus Legal Services
- Highly Commended: Premier Soliitors
Pioneers of the Year | Sponsored by CTT Group
- Winner: AWAY Wills
- Highly Commended: Farewill
Estate Planning Consultant of the Year | Sponsored by Society of Will Writers
- Winner: Alex Truesdale | Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- Highly Commended: Nellie McQuinn | AWAY Wills
Best Place to Work| Sponsored by Superlawyer
- Winner: Blanchards Bailey
- Highly Commended: IMD Solicitors & PCS Legal
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by ZEDRA
- Winner: Alex Truesdale Wills Limited
- Highly Commended: CTT Private Client
Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Large | Sponsored by WillSuite
- Winner: Octopus Legacy
- Highly Commended: Heritage Wills
Legal Supplier of the Year | Sponsored by CILEX
- Winner: The Property Ladder Group
- Highly Commended: Probate.Auction
Contentious Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by haig Legal Group
- Winner: Alexander Learmonth KC | New Square Chambers
- Highly Commended: Scott Taylor Edwards | Moore Barlow
Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by Move With Us
- Winner: Stevens & Bolton
- Highly Commended; Blanchards Bailey
Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Large | Sponsored by Golding Young
- Winner: IDR Law
- Highly Commended: Slee Blackwell
Probate Research Firm of the Year | Sponsored by Currencies Direct
- Winner: Finders International
- Highly Commended: Pro-Gen Research Limited
Tax & Trusts Team of the Year | Sponsored by Provira
- Winner: Myerson Solicitors
- Highly Commended: Mayo Wynne Baxter
One to Watch Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by The Estate Registry
- Winner: Hayley Bastable | Maple Wills
- Highly Commended: Sarah Farren | Farnworth Rose
Private Client Practitioner of the Year | Sponsored by Finders International
- Winner: Paul Clark | Spall Clark Solicitors
- Highly Commended: Joanna Longfellow | JWP Solicitors & Daniel Rourke | IMD Solicitors
Private Client Firm of the Year – Boutique | Sponsored by Ochresoft
- Winner: GA Solicitors
- Highly Commended: High Jones Solicitors
Private Client Firm of the Year – Large | Sponsored by LEAP Estates
- Winner: HCR Law
- Highly Commended: Irwin Mitchell
Customer Service Champions | Sponsored by Minerva
- Winner: Farewill
- Highly Commended: GA Solicitors
Wills & Probate Excellence | Sponsored by untangled
- Winner: Alexander Learmonth | New Square Chambers
Congratulations to everybody on their success at The British Wills and Probate Awards 2026. #BWAPAwards2026
