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Enter the British Wills & Probate Awards

Would you like to win an industry accolade for high achievement in the sector?

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event, The British Wills & Probate Awards are back – bigger and better.

Taking place on the 17th October 2019, the prestigious awards are being held at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham. The 2019 attendee list is double the size of last year, reaching just shy of 300.

The awards will again be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Jennie Bond, who appears regularly on a wide range of television and radio programmes – from light entertainment to documentaries.

Why not highlight your achievement and successes in the Wills and Probate sector by entering the awards?

Not only will you have the chance of winning an award, you will also receive the following benefits:

Full coverage on leading news publication Today’s Wills & Probate
Content to use for your marketing purposes
Use of the British Wills & Probate Awards logo
Enhanced brand profile and recognition
Networking opportunities

With more choice of categories to choose from than ever before, you and your firm will be sure to find plenty to apply for, especially as you can enter up to three categories for the cost of £145 plus VAT – which is less than the cost of writing a Will for most of us, and of course, the more categories you enter, the more chance you have of being shortlisted and maybe even winning.

To find out more about this year’s new categories and which ones best represent your business please click here. The closing date for submissions is 14th June, so don’t wait, get your nominations in now!

Furthermore, bookings for this key event are now open here where you will find information and pricing for individual tickets and whole tables of twelve.

If you would like more information about how the awards work and how to go about entering please call Josh Hall on 01829 307 505 or email [email protected]

British Wills & Probate Awards with Jennie Bond

British Wills & Probate Awards 2019

May 23, 2019 Abby Dennis Guest Blog, Awards 0

Finalists Announced for Prestigious Paralegal Awards

PRESS RELEASE

The Professional Paralegal Register have announced the finalists from 16 individual and business categories that have been shortlisted for the 2020 National Paralegal Awards.

These professional legal awards, now in their second year are the only awards dedicated to rewarding and recognising the outstanding work of Paralegals and law firms that support the development of the paralegal profession.

The winners will be announced at a gala black tie ceremony at the Grand Connaught Rooms in the West End on Friday 27 March 2020.

The independent judging panel which was comprised of 17 legal and business professionals was overseen by Head Judge Amir Ali, Chairman of the CCUA.

Amir Ali said:

“I and the judging panel were very impressed by the high standard of entries shortlisted. There are many very talented paralegals and firms dedicated to supporting the development of the profession – judging the entries was no easy feat!”

Amir continued to say “Paralegals are the backbone of the Legal Sector, often at the coalface who receive little or no recognition for the vital role they perform within the industry, and professional awards such as these are a fantastic opportunity to congratulate all finalists on their achievements and successes”.

Managing Director of the Professional Paralegal Register, Rita Leat said:

“Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted for the National Paralegal Awards. Yet again, the number of high quality entries we received represents the breadth and range of paralegal activity and excellent work undertaken in the UK. Thank you to our judges for their work and we look forward to meeting the finalists and our sponsors at our awards gala.”

This year’s headline sponsor is Fraser and Fraser and categories were sponsored by a variety of businesses who work with the legal sector, and legal membership organisations including The Institute of Paralegals, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys and The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

This years shortlisted finalists can be found at National Paralegal Awards 2020 Finalists.

NOTES TO EDITOR

The organisers of the National Paralegal Awards are The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR), a voluntary registered scheme to promote professional paralegals as a recognised fourth arm of the legal profession and to enhance consumer choice and protection. Only Paralegals that are on this register are regulated by us.
The National Paralegal Awards are open to any paralegals working within the United Kingdom and they do not need to be registered with the PPR, hold a Paralegal Practising Certificate or be a member of a membership organisation.
The National Paralegal Awards event is being held on Friday 27 March 2020. For more information about the event, please contact Abby at [email protected]

Join the conversation about the awards on Twitter using #PPRNPAAWARDS #PPRPARALEGALAWARDS

February 7, 2020 Abby Dennis Awards, Press Release 0

Head of the Professional Paralegal Register is shortlisted in the National Business Women Awards

Managing Director of the voluntary regulator for paralegals, Rita Leat, is a finalist in the third sector category of the National Business Women Awards for her pro-bono role with the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR).

Rita who co-founded the not for profit scheme, the PPR works tirelessly to promote professional paralegals as a recognised fourth arm of the legal profession and to enhance consumer choice and protection.

Speaking about her recent shortlisting “I am honoured to be shortlisted as a Finalist in these prestigious awards. Awards such as these play a vital role in promoting the hard work of female leaders”.

This is the second business women award that Rita has been shortlisted for in recent months.

Finalists will gather at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Kensington, London on Thursday 12 December to find out who has won.

To find out more about the Professional Paralegal Register please visit www.ppr.org.uk

October 21, 2019 Abby Dennis News, Awards 0

National Paralegal Awards 2020 winners celebrate with virtual ceremony

The very best of the paralegal profession was celebrated at the annual National Paralegal Awards hosted live by the Professional Paralegal Register on Friday night. The awards ceremony, which is now in its second year, is now one of the showpiece events in the legal sector calendar, highlighting the important role paralegals play within the legal profession.

The paralegal community from across the country came together at the event, which this year was held virtually, to mark the outstanding achievements of both paralegals and firms that support the sector.

The winners from the 17 categories were announced and a PPR Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Sir Robin Knowles CBE for a life-long commitment to the legal profession and access to justice for every citizen.

Rita Leat, Managing Director of the PPR commented:

“We are hugely humbled by the talent shown by our finalists and winners as the paralegal profession in the UK is one to be very proud of. We are delighted with the support we received with over 500 people tuning in to watch the event “.

The award winners in full:

Best Family Law Paralegal – Dawn Gore – Trethowans LLP

Best Employment / HR Paralegal – Morgan Sheldon

Best Patent Paralegal – JoAnna Emery – Pure Ideas

Best Arbitration and Mediation Paralegal – Beth Jameson – Gafta

Best Conveyancing Paralegal – Emily Miller – Thomas Legal

Best Civil Litigation Paralegal – Philip Nam – White Collar Legal

Best Probate Research Paralegal – Lauren Geary – Treethorpe

Best Trade Mark Paralegal – Rachel Bowerman – Lane IP

Best Will Writing Paralegal – Sharon Baker – Mowll & Mowll

Paralegal Business of the Year – Fraser and Fraser

Will Writing Organisation of the Year – Heritage Wills

Paralegal Recruitment Organisation of the Year – The Stephen James Partnership

Best Law Firm Paralegal Development -Dentons UK and Middle East

Paralegal of the Year – Midlands/North – Michelle Blackwell – Bevan Brittan LLP

Paralegal of the Year – South – Neil Fraser, Fraser and Fraser

Paralegal of the Year – UK – Neil Fraser, Fraser and Fraser

The judges also awarded highly commended to:

Best Arbitration and Mediation Paralegal – Clive Lewis OBE DL – Globis Mediation Group

Best Conveyancing Paralegal – Aimee Haden – Bevan Brittan LLP

Best Civil Litigation Paralegal – Helen Laycock – PM Law

Best Probate Research Paralegal – Matthew Boardman – Anglia Research Services

Best Law Firm Paralegal Development – Addleshaw Goddard

Paralegal of the Year – Midlands/North – Aimee Haden, Bevan Brittan LLP

Paralegal of the Year – South – Ashleah Skinner

Dawn Gore – Trethowans LLP

Paige Gouldthorpe – Cozens-Hardy LLP

Sharon Baker – Mowll & Mowll

To watch a playback of the virtual event visit https://youtu.be/tvGchIOFqbY

Thank you to our sponsors and judges for their support to the awards.

To keep updated on the work of the Professional Paralegal Register, Paralegal Conference 2021 and when we will be open for entries for the NPA 2021, please sign up to receive our emails.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0203 039 3710 or [email protected]

September 24, 2020 Abby Dennis Member News, Awards, Press Release, Paralegal, Paralegals, PPR 0

PPR's Managing Director, Rita Leat shortlisted as Finalist in Best Business Women Awards

Rita Leat, Finalist Best Business Women Awards - Legal Services The Best Business Women Awards have announced their finalists for 2019. The business world is full of talented and dedicated female entrepreneurs who not only run successful businesses but, in many cases, also juggle the needs of their families. The Best Business Women Awards are designed to recognise the achievement of those women across a wide range of business categories from women across the UK.

Rita Leat from the Professional Paralegal Register has been shortlisted as a finalist in the legal services categories. The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) is the overarching independent voluntary regulator for paralegals. Its aims are to promote professional paralegals as the recognised fourth arm of the legal profession and to enhance consumer choice and protection.

Debbie Gilbert, organiser of The Best Business Women Awards said “This is the 5th year of these prestigious awards. We were delighted with the number of entries this year, which came in from all over the UK. This is a tough competition judged by business experts. To be a finalist is a major achievement. Finalists have been selected for their business acumen, determination, creativity and tenacity. Well over 80% of start-ups fail in the first 3 years and all our finalists are all shining examples of being successful entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges.”

Rita Leat, PPR's Managing Director Rita Leat, who is the Managing Director of the PPR said “I am honoured to be a Finalist for the legal sector category in this year’s Best Business Women Awards. Having achieved my Law Degree as a mature student with three children in 1994 I entered my legal career that has now spanned 27 years”. She continued “The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate not only women in business but for this particular category, women in law”.

The gala final of The Best Business Women Awards will be held on 11th October 2019 at The Tower Hotel in London when the winners will be announced.

September 5, 2019 Abby Dennis News, Awards 0

The quest is on to find the Best Paralegals 2021 NATIONAL PARALEGALS AWARDS

Now in its third year, the National Paralegal Awards returns with its quest to find the Best Paralegals in the UK and businesses that support the industry.

This year there are 19 categories comprising of 15 awards for individuals including three new categories Best Paralegal Newcomer, Best Commercial Real Estate Paralegal and Best Community Champion Paralegal. There are four categories for businesses to enter including Best Recruitment Organisation for Paralegals and Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development.

Entries are now open, and entrants can benefit from an early bird discount on entry fees if they register their interest before the Friday 28 May 2021 at midnight. We close on 28 June 2021 at 5pm. Finalists will be announced on the 11 August 2021.

Due to the uncertainty with current government restrictions on very large events, the awards gala will be a virtual event yet again when all finalists, sponsors, judges, and their guests will come together to celebrate their successes and crown our winners. In addition, there will also be an exclusive Winners Lunch, which provides the 2021 winners and sponsors an opportunity to network face to face and for the sponsors to present winners with their trophy and framed certificates.

Rita Leat, Managing Director of The Professional Paralegal Register who host the awards said: “We are delighted to host these annual awards to showcase and reward the work of Paralegals across the UK. These are professional awards with strict criteria to ensure that our Finalists and Winners are the best the UK has to offer”.

This year’s headline sponsor is the Right Legal Group, an innovative Alternative Business Structure (ABS) established in 2014 solely specialising in Wills and Probate law.

Carrie Caladine, Managing Director said “I am so delighted that we are this year’s headline sponsors of the Paralegal Awards. We have championed the role of the professional paralegal since we set up our business and have taken an active role in supporting the growth of paralegals in legal businesses across England and Wales. The awards provide us with a much-needed opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of those that play such a vital role in the industry”.

The independent judging panel is made of highly regarded business and legal professionals and will be headed up by Stephen Gowland. Stephen is Chair of the Police Misconduct Tribunal and a Non-Executive Board Member of the Legal Services Board.

On his appointment Stephen said “I was honoured to be asked to return to this year’s Judging Panel and to be Head Judge. The PPR’s National Paralegal Awards is now very much a firm fixture within the legal calendar. Paralegals, in all their forms, are the backbone of the industry, often working in the shadows and these awards shine a much-needed light on the vital role they play in the delivery of Legal Services in the marketplace. This is something I am passionate about having started my career as a paralegal via an apprenticeship scheme.”

For further information and to enter the awards visit www.nationalparalegalawards.com

April 20, 2021 Abby Dennis Awards, PPR 0

The search is on to find the Best Paralegals 2020 NATIONAL PARALEGALS AWARDS

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural awards, The National Paralegal Awards are back, and the search is on to find the Best Paralegals in the UK and businesses that support the industry.

This year there are 14 categories comprising of 10 awards for individuals including Best Civil Litigation Paralegal, Best Patent Paralegal, Probate Researcher of the Year, Will Writer of the Year and Best Mediator and Arbitration Paralegal. There are four categories for businesses to enter including Best Recruitment Organisation for Paralegals and Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development.

Entries are now open, and close on 13 December 2019 at 5pm.

Finalists and sponsors will gather together on 27 March 2020 for a black-tie gala final held in the Grand Hall, Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden to celebrate achievements and announce the winners of each category.

This year’s headline sponsor is international genealogists and probate researchers, Fraser and Fraser, who were awarded ‘Paralegal Business of the Year 2019’.

Neil Fraser, Partner said “Fraser and Fraser celebrate its 50th anniversary this year and we are delighted to be the headline sponsor of this year’s National Paralegal Awards. As a firm we understand the crucial role paralegals play across the sector and these awards provide well-deserved recognition to the individuals and organisations that have achieved great things.”

Amir Ali, Chairman of the CCUA will be heading up the independent judging panel, which is made highly regarded business and legal professionals. Amir said “I was honoured to be asked to return to this year’s Judging Panel and to Chair the panel. The PPR’s National Paralegal Awards is now very much a firm fixture within the legal calendar. Paralegals, in all their forms, are the backbone of the industry, often working in the shadows and these awards shine a much-needed light on the vital role they play in the delivery of Legal Services in the marketplace”.

For the second year, the events charity partner will support The Young Citizens, who work to help young people become active, engaged and motivated citizens, who are able to contribute positively to their communities.

For further information and to enter the awards visit www.nationalparalegalawards.com

August 16, 2019 Abby Dennis News, Awards 0

You now have more time to enter the National Paralegal Awards 2020!

After receiving feedback, for those of you who would like to enter but have commitments ahead of the Christmas break, the decision has been made to extend the final deadline for entries to Friday 3rd January 2020 at 5pm.

There will be no further extensions after this date.

Why enter?
Winning or being a finalist of an award is a great way to progress your career or to develop your business. It brings great recognition for your expertise, hard work and commitment to the paralegal profession!

How to enter?
Entry is open now, online and free. You do not need to be nominated.

To find out how to enter and to download the entry pack and template visit www.nationalparalegalawards.com

Please ensure that you read the pack carefully and use the entry form template, sections and headers provided. It is important that you use these as they match the criteria and score cards our judges will be using. Once completed these are to be copied and pasted into the online entry form.

If you need any help or advice on what categories to enter or the type of supporting evidence you need to include, please contact us on 01442 508 206 or email [email protected]

Please note that the PPR office closes on the 20th December and reopens on 2nd January 2020.

December 9, 2019 Abby Dennis News, Member News, Awards 0