The Legal News Wales Awards are returning for 2026, building on the success of a landmark inaugural awards programme that celebrated excellence, leadership and innovation across the Welsh legal sector.
Launched for the first time in 2025, the Legal News Wales Awards brought together legal professionals from across Wales to recognise outstanding achievement not only in legal practice, but in the business of law — from leadership and growth to wellbeing, sustainability, diversity and social impact.
Following overwhelming engagement from across the profession, entries are now open for the Legal News Wales Awards 2026, with an expanded programme of categories designed to reflect the breadth, ambition and evolving priorities of the Welsh legal sector.
The deadline for entries is Monday 2 March 2026. To view all the awards categories, criteria and FAQs, visit the awards website.
Celebrating excellence across the business of law
The 2026 awards will once again recognise organisations, teams and individuals making a meaningful impact across Wales’ legal landscape — from law firms and chambers to in-house teams, legal service providers and operational professionals.
The Legal News Wales Award categories for 2026 are:
- Legal Services Transformation of the Year
- Business Growth Award of the Year (1–50 employees)
- Business Growth Award of the Year (51+ employees)
- Client Experience Award of the Year
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award of the Year
- Wellbeing Strategy of the Year
- Future Lawyer Initiative of the Year
- Sustainability Award of the Year
- Pro Bono Award
- Marketing Initiative of the Year
- Social Impact Award
- NEW: Rising Star Award (for all qualified lawyers up to 5 PQE)
- NEW: Excellence in Legal Operations Award
- NEW: Legal Entrepreneur Award
- Leadership Award of the Year
- Legal Hero Wales
Each category is underpinned by detailed, evidence-led criteria designed to recognise substance, impact and sustainability, with judges assessing achievement in the context of organisation size, role and sector.
Partners and judges
TSR Legal Recruitment returns as the awards headline partner for 2026, reaffirming its commitment to supporting excellence and progression across the legal profession in Wales.
A number of category partners are already confirmed, including Menzies LLP, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Conscious Solutions, the Pro Bono Committee for Wales, and LawCare, with further partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
Members of the independent judging panel – who will interview the finalists in person at the end of April – will be announced shortly.
Building on a powerful first year
The 2025 awards highlighted the strength and diversity of the Welsh legal sector, celebrating organisations and individuals delivering real change — from improving access to justice and championing wellbeing, to driving growth, innovation and inclusive leadership.
Reflecting on the return of the awards, Emma Waddingham, Founder and Editor of Legal News Wales, said:
“The response to the inaugural Legal News Wales Awards exceeded all expectations. What stood out most was the depth of commitment across the sector — to people, clients, communities and the future of the profession in Wales.
“The 2026 awards are about building on that momentum. They are designed to recognise excellence in its many forms, whether that’s leadership, innovation, operational brilliance or social impact, and to provide a platform for sharing best practice across the Welsh legal community.”
Open, inclusive and evidence-led
Entries for the Legal News Wales Awards 2026 are open to organisations and individuals across the Welsh legal sector, with submissions assessed by an independent panel of judges drawn from across law, business and public life
The awards aim to remain inclusive and accessible, encouraging nominations from practices of all sizes and recognising achievement relative to context, resources and career stage.
Finalists are chosen by the judges based on their written submissions and then interviewed in person by the independent panel at the end of April 2026. The winner is chosen based on the decision elected by the judges during judging week – entirely independently of the organisers.
Enter now
Full category details, judging criteria and entry information are available at legalnewswalesawards.com.
The awards ceremony 2026
The awards ceremony, including a drinks reception, three-course meal and the after party will be hosted on Thursday 4 June 2026 at The Coal Exchange Hotel Cardiff. Tickets go on general sale on the 24 March, after the finalists have been announced.
Register your interest in tickets here.
Partner with us
Only a few category partnership opportunities remain for this year’s awards. To join as a partner and category judge, please contact the awards team ASAP to avoid missing out. Click here to get in touch.
