Older and Vulnerable Client Adviser of the Year

This exceptional Lifetime Lawyer is not only an expert in their field, but demonstrates exceptional client care skills - understanding their clients, supporting them at every step of the way, helping them to communicate so that their wishes are clearly understood and ensuring that decisions are made in their best interests. The safeguarding of their older and vulnerable clients is at the heart of everything they do. They frequently go the extra mile to ensure the best outcome for their clients. They are lifetime learners who also like to support their fellow members and the profession.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: Accredited Lifetime Lawyers only

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Older and Vulnerable Client Adviser of the Year award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about key elements of your practice which you have developed and how these benefit your clients
2. Talk about your aims for the future and how you hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you have helped to develop staff within your team
4. Give an example of how you helped a client in a difficult situation achieve a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Professional Deputy of the Year

This Lifetime Lawyer always puts in the time to gain insight into their clients to help them make best interests decisions based on their clients’ past, present, and future wishes, rather than just financial outcomes. Their compliance with OPG standards and an in depth knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act are taken as read. They are extremely proficient at managing their clients’ finances no matter how complex and maintain meticulous records and have robust internal office processes. They have excellent communication skills and are able to coordinate with a wide range of professionals such as case managers, therapists, and financial advisors to support their clients’ quality of life, as well as being able to deal sensitively with their clients and their families..

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: Accredited Lifetime Lawyers only

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Professional Deputy of the Year award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about some of the key elements of your role as a professional deputy and how you help ensure that other people involved with your client act their best interests
2. Talk about your aims for the future and how you hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you develop staff within your team to be able to support your client alongside you
4. Give an example of how you helped a client in a difficult situation achieve a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Court of Protection Lawyer of the Year

This Lifetime Lawyer understands the depth of responsibility when it comes to supporting the most vulnerable people in society. They are dedicated to getting the best possible outcomes for their clients and their families often in complex and emotionally sensitive circumstances. They understand that even the smallest thing can make a huge difference to how someone lives. They focus on every detail and aspect of their client’s life that is within their control and fight hard to ensure that their client is well supported and cared for. Not only do they display a high level of technical competence, but they have a compassionate and empathic approach to client care. They also ensure that all aspects of their files are managed efficiently.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Court of Protection Lawyer of the Year award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about some of the key elements of your Court of Protection practice which you have developed and how these benefit your clients
2. Talk about your aims for the future and how you hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you have helped to develop staff within your team
4. Give an example of how you helped a client in a difficult situation achieve a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Rising Star

This exceptional Lifetime Lawyer is clearly going places. A passion for learning and constant growth shines through in their approach to everything they do. They are keen to contribute not only to their own department, but to the firm as a whole. Above all, they go the extra mile to support their clients and deliver exceptional service and advice. They have the potential to be a future leader both in their firm and in the profession at large.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers up to 5 years PQE

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Rising Star award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about your work post qualification and what you feel you bring to your clients
2. Talk about your aims for the future and how you hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you have contributed to your team
4. Give an example of how you have contributed to the ongoing success of your firm

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Probate Lawyer of the Year

This Lifetime Lawyer is extremely resilient given the turbulent times that have beset the probate sector in recent years. Not only do they have excellent technical skills and organisational skills, but they also have excellent communications skills and are extremely adept at managing client expectations. They are a dedicated professional who is able to facilitate the resolution of estate and probate matters, often preventing them from becoming contentious.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Probate Lawyer of the Year award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about some of the key elements of your probate work which you have developed and how these benefit your clients
2. Talk about your aims for the future and how you hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you support staff within your team
4. Give an example of how you dealt with a difficult situation in a probate matter and achieved a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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The Mary Butler Memorial Award

(for most helpful contributions to the Lifetime Lawyers forum)

For many, the Lifetime Lawyers forum is a real lifeline and a safe space to ask questions to other members. What makes the forum so useful is the generosity of fellow members who willingly contribute to it in support of each other. The late and much beloved Mary Butler was one such person.

This award will be decided by a vote from forum users. The winner of this award will clearly be a Lifetime Lawyer who is extremely generous with their time and willingly shares their experience, knowledge and expertise with fellow members on the forum.

Outstanding Collaborative Working - Financial Services

This Lifetime Lawyer has developed a strong working relationship with this financial services professional. They work collaboratively together to produce the best possible outcomes for their clients. Through their collaborative approach, they develop a much deeper understanding of each of their clients, and the time and effort invested help ensure excellence in client care and client satisfaction by providing all round advice and solutions.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers collaborating with anyone from a financial services organisation
(As this is a collaborative working award - both winners will receive a trophy)

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Outstanding Collaborative Working - Financial Services and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about how you both work collaboratively and how this benefits your clients
2. Talk about your aims for the future of collaborative working and how you both hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you developed a culture of collaborative working and what benefits it brings to both organisations
4. Give an example of how a piece of collaborative working helped a client in a difficult situation achieve a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Outstanding Collaborative Working - Charities

This Lifetime Lawyer and charity collaboration has genuinely had a positive impact on the lives of older and vulnerable people. They are both dedicated to delivering meaningful and measurable change. The development of this strong collaborative working relationship has made a tangible difference and helped to advance the mission of the charity.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers working collaboratively with a local, regional, or national charity
(As this is a collaborative working award - both winners will receive a trophy)

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Outstanding Collaborative Working - Charities and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about how you both work collaboratively and how it helped to advance the charity’s mission
2. Talk about your aims for the future of collaborative working and how you both hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how you developed a culture of collaborative working and what benefits it brings to both organisations
4. Give an example of how a piece of collaborative working has had a positive impact on the lives of older and vulnerable people

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Older and Vulnerable Client Team, Outstanding Service

This team really understands the power of working together. As a team, they have created an environment where service excellence is at the heart of everything they do. Every team member understands that older and vulnerable people may have need for additional support, care and time and that they may be facing complex and emotionally sensitive circumstances. They are able to give this with empathy and care, ensuring that their clients feel valued and supported. They work tirelessly together to get the best possible outcomes for their clients.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers and their teams who help deliver services to their older and vulnerable clients

Your submission must tell the story about why your team should win the Older and Vulnerable Client Team Outstanding Service award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about key elements of the service your team provides and how these benefit your clients
2. Talk about service improvements your team is planning for the future and how they hope to achieve them
3. Talk about how people in your team support each other to deliver outstanding client service
4. Give an example of how your team working together helped a client in a difficult situation achieve a good outcome

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Outstanding Contribution in the Older and/or Vulnerable Community

This Lifetime Lawyer is dedicated to supporting older and vulnerable people not just through their paid work. They freely give their time to make a difference to the lives of older and vulnerable people through exceptional dedication, compassion, and unwavering advocacy. Whether it is by delivering free law clinics, working as a trustee, volunteering at memory cafes, putting on events, or simply helping people through befriending services or other activities/services. They are a strong advocate of CSR within their firm and also inspires others to get involved.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: All Lifetime Lawyers

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Outstanding Contribution in the Older and/or Vulnerable Community award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Describe the contribution you have made to the older and/or vulnerable community
2. Discuss how your contribution has had on impact on the community
3. Discuss how you intend to make further contribution in the future
4. Discuss what you have learned from serving others in the community and the impact it has had on you

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Most Valuable Support Staff
(client facing)

This person is the unsung hero of the team. They are confident in their interaction with clients. They put them at the ease and make them feel supported, listened to and valued. They perform their role to highest of standards and nothing is too much trouble for them. They frequently come up with interesting ideas. Service is at the heart of everything they do for both clients and their firm.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: any member of staff within a Lifetime Lawyer’s organisation - this includes anyone from the reception team, legal support staff, financial support staff etc… who interact with clients. We are looking for the unsung hero in your organisation.

Your submission must tell the story about why a member of staff should win the Most Valuable Support Staff award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about key elements of the service this person provides for clients and how these benefit your organisation
2. Talk about how this person supports other members of their team and helps to create a positive working environment
3. Give an example of how they have gone the extra mile to support a Lifetime Lawyer
4. Give an example of how they have gone the extra mile to support a Lifetime Lawyer

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Most Valuable Support Staff
(non client facing)

Unseen by clients, this person works behind the scenes to help enable the seamless functioning of the organisation. They are dedicated to ensuring that that those who are client facing are well supported whether it is through providing catering services at meetings, getting meeting rooms ready, maintaining the building, providing IT support, training, counselling or HR support. This person plays a vital role within the organisation, and really is an unsung hero.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: any member of staff within a Lifetime Lawyer’s organisation - this includes anyone from, HR, IT, Accounts, operations, training, maintenance, catering etc. who does not interact with clients

Your submission must tell the story about why a member of staff should win the Most Valuable Support Staff award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about key elements of the service this person provides and how these benefit your organisation
2. Talk about a service improvement made by this person and how this has helped improve the day-to-day operations in the firm
3. Talk about how this person supports other people in the organisation and helps to create a positive working environment
4. Give an example of how they have gone the extra mile to support their colleagues

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Most Innovative Use of AI

This organisation has taken a bold approach to product and service innovation. They are early adopters of AI and have invested in this new technology. They really are redefining what’s possible in the legal sector through the bold, intelligent, and impactful application of AI. They have embedded AI into their products in ways that genuinely enhance delivery of legal services. This organisation not only embraces this emerging technology, but is doing so with creativity, responsibility, and a clear understanding of the evolving needs of the legal profession.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: Any organisation which serves the legal profession (older and vulnerable client sector)

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Most Innovative Use of AI award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about how you have integrated AI into your product and how you believe this can deliver increased efficiencies for your customers
2. Give an example of how your product has helped to improve a process for your customers and create timing savings
3. Talk about how you have helped with change management within a firm and achieved department wide, even firm wide buy in
4. Talk about future plans for AI and what you believe it can deliver for law firms

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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Legal Supplier of the Year

This organisation really understands the unique requirements of legal firms and is able to design products and services which are innovative, robust and uniquely tailored to their customers’ needs. They understand the challenges faced by firms and work in partnership with them to develop solutions that improve efficiency, streamline processes and help their customers to deliver excellence in client service. They also understand that many people struggle with change i.e. doing things differently. They are sensitive to this issue and integrate change management with their product and service delivery. They also provide excellent after sales care and on going support for their customers.

REQUIREMENTS

Open to: Any organisation which serves the legal profession (older and vulnerable client sector)

Your submission must tell the story about why you should win the Legal Supplier of the Year award and must also cover the specific criteria below:

1. Talk about how you work in partnership with your customers to deliver exceptional customer service
2. Talk about how you have been innovative in your product development to produce a best in class product or service for your customers
3. Give an example of how you have helped a customer sort out a tricky situation
4. Talk about the working environment and culture you have developed for your own staff and how this helps you to deliver exceptional customer service on the one hand and product innovation on the other

Please provide one piece of supporting evidence in an appendix to your submission, clearly stating to which of the four points above your evidence relates.

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