The President of Cardiff and District Law Society invites you to join the largest regional law society in Wales for its 2026 Annual Dinner – an unmissable opportunity to catch up with peers, colleagues, friends and clients, and to celebrate the society’s annual award winners.
CDLS President, Emma Waddingham (Founder, Legal News Wales), is delighted to announce that this year’s Cardiff & District Law Society Annual Dinner will be hosted at the Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff, on Friday 6 November 2026, where she will be joined by our guest speaker – Barrister turned broadcaster & Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author: Rob Rinder MBE.
In support of LawCare & Marie Curie
This year’s charities of the year are LawCare – the mental health and wellbeing charity for the legal sector – and Marie Curie. £10 from each individual ticket sale will be donated to the charities and we will host our ‘Cardiff Big Night Out’ raffle to raise additional funds on the night for this incredible charities.
CDLS President for 2025 – 2026, Emma Waddingham invites the society’s members, the wider legal profession, affiliated industries and law students in Wales and beyond, to join her and Council members for a night filled with entertainment, and to celebrate our successful, sustainable, innovative and internationally regarded legal community.
Join CDLS for a fantastic evening of socialising, a three-course gourmet dinner, with a special guest speaker, entertainment and the announcement of our annual award winners, followed by a free After Party in the Aura bar.
Guest speaker
CDLS is delighted to announce that the guest speaker is Rob Rinder MBE.
Rob is well known to many and CDLS is honoured to welcome him to its annual dinner. Rob is a Barrister turned broadcaster and Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author. Rob will also present three CDLS Annual awards – including the Simon Mumford Memorial Award – for 2026.
Event Partners
This year’s Annual Dinner Headline Partner is Irwin Mitchell, and Silver Partners include TSR Legal Recruitment.
There are still opportunities to partner on the Annual Dinner and this year’s CDLS Awards. Please contact the President for further information, here.
Tickets
An early bird discounted rate for CDLS members is available on individual and table bookings.
The member Earlybird rate ends 1 September 2026*. Ticket prices and booking form can be found below.
Booking is now open.
CDLS members can use our discounted member rate when booking individual tickets and tables. If you are unsure of your member status, please email admin@cardifflaw.org.
- Earlybird Individual Tickets (CDLS Members): £120 pp
- Individual Tickets (Non Members): £130 pp
- Table of 10 (CDLS Members): £1200
- Table of 10 (Non Members): £1300
Tickets include a Welcome Drinks Reception, a three-course evening meal, entertainment and access to the After Party.
To book, please click here. An invoice for payment will be sent to you upon completing the form.
Please note: Your ticket(s) cannot be confirmed until full payment is made.
*From the 1 September 2026, all ticket prices will be £130pp or £1300 for a table of 10.
Timings
- 6:30pm: Drinks Reception
- Full agenda TBA
Dress Code
Black Tie, Ball Gowns or Cocktail Dresses.
Drinks Pre-Orders
A drinks pre-order form will be sent to you / your table’s lead contact once we have received payment for your booking. Pre-orders need to be dealt directly with the venue. Details will be provided.
Dietary Requirements
Please send us your guests’ dietary requirements to admin@cardifflaw.org no later than Friday 17 October 2026 to ensure the venue can accommodate your needs.
CDLS Awards 2026
The winners of our 2026 awards programme will be announced at our annual dinner.
Full information on the criteria for and entering this year’s CDLS awards (deadline: 30 September 2026) will be shared on our news page by the end of June.
The award categories for 2026 are: Rising Star of the Year and Director / Partner of the Year (excellence in leadership), and Pro Bono Initiative of the Year.
CDLS will also announce the winner of the Simon Mumford Memorial Awards 2026 at the annual dinner. This is a judges’ choice award, to recognise an individual for their contribution to the Cardiff and wider legal profession.
Enquiries
Any Annual Dinner enquiries should be sent to our Administrator via email, at: admin@cardifflaw.org.