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This award will be presented to the individual who, in the opinion of the Judges, has made an exceptional contribution to the reputation of solicitors during their career as a solicitor in Devon and Somerset. Whilst entries could be based on any number of criteria, candidates will be an exemplar of the legal profession having demonstrated high standards of integrity in their endeavours. It is expected that any nominee will:

• have the ultimate respect of their colleagues

• have shown absolute dedication to their clients

• be a leader in their area of practice

• be a mentor to those with whom they have worked

• worked to uphold the Rule of Law

• be a consummate professional

• stand out from the crowd

JUDGING PROCESS

In the event that no entries meet the required standard, no awards will be given.

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Creativity and originality in problem-solving, especially within access to justice and technology.

Organisations and individuals are invited to enter for this new award which recognises the work of frontline practitioners who have employed innovative solutions in the pursuit of access to law and justice.

This may be through the imaginitive use of technology or other solutions that have improved outcomes for their clients or the general public.

Whilst the Judges have discretion in making their decision for the winner of this award you should demonstrate:

·  Clear purpose for the innovation

·  Delivery of benefits for clients or general public

·  Creative and Imaginative thinking

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This award celebrates the commitment of the many Solicitors that tirelessly represent clients who must rely on Legal Aid. Their work supports many on the fringes of our society and requires considerable resilience and dedication for limited remuneration.

To be eligible for this award you will be a Solicitor with at least 70% of your caseload funded by Legal Aid. We are looking for nominees who can demonstrate:

- Exceptional dedication to their clients.

- A determination to see the end result.

- Great results that make a difference.

- Absolute professionalism.

- Outstanding commitment to access to justice.

Nominations may be made by clients, members of the public or colleagues.

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Nominations are welcome from colleagues or clients for secretaries, cashiers, apprentices and others who support Devon & Somerset Law Society, solicitor members.

Nominations should demonstrate how the staff member has made a special contribution to their organisation or to specific clients. The Judges will expect this individual to have shown dedication and motivation beyond the call of duty.

Particular note will be made of those activities that have improved the organisation’s efficiency and reputation and/or the reputation of the profession generally.

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Paralegals support other legal professionals, working in a variety of law firms and private, public sector and not-for-profit organisations. Nominations for this category are invited for individuals who have fee earning client facing roles but have not as yet qualified as a Solicitor, Legal Executive or other regulated lawyer in the UK.

Nominees may have many years of experience or be early on in their career and seeking to become a qualified lawyer in due course.

The judges will be looking for candidates who can show:
• A genuine interest in their clients – testimonials and evidence of going the extra mile will help.
• Support and inspiration to their colleagues – how they impacted on those around them in the last year?
• Active engagement in their community through CSR activity or in a personal capacity.

Additionally candidates for this award will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to learning and development in furtherance of their careers.

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This award will be given to a practising Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) who will have achieved particular recognition for their professional work and / or their work in their community or charitable body.

The judges will be looking for candidates who can show:

• A genuine interest in their clients – testimonials and evidence of going the extra mile will help.

• Support and inspiration to their colleagues – how they impacted on those around them in the last year?

• Active engagement in their community through CSR activity or in a personal capacity.

The judges will be looking for entrants who stand out from the crowd and have had a positive and demonstrable impact on their organisation, colleagues and communities.

There are many factors that the Judges can consider but will be looking for evidence of great client care, involvement in CSR activities, personal development, team working, leadership, empathy and professional respect.

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The Rising Star Award is designed to recognise those in the early stages of their professional career who have already achieved significant success. These are the ‘ones to watch’ as they develop their career.

It is an opportunity to publicly recognise in the region the value they are adding to your organisation and how much you appreciate their effort and achievements.

The judges will be looking for an individual that is a positive role model for your organisation, consistently contributes beyond what is expected of them, strives to achieve success and gives back or inspires others.

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Leaders are found at many levels and do not have to have a leader or manager job role. They are people who have a unique ability to guide and inspire others, enabling them to achieve more than they might otherwise.

To be eligible for this award nominees will demonstrate how they:

• Inspire and encourage personal and professional development in others.

• Build strong relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility.

• Adapt readily to new situations.

• Mentor and cultivate others enabling them to achieve.

• Contribute to the success of their team / department / organisation.

Nominees should highlight how through their contribution they and their team/organisation have achieved improved success.

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This prestigious award will be given to a talented Solicitor who will have achieved particular recognition for their professional work and / or their work in their community or charitable body.

The judges will be looking for candidates who can show:

• A genuine interest in their clients – testimonials and evidence of going the extra mile will help.

• Support and inspiration to their colleagues – how they impacted on those around them in the last year?

• Active engagement in their community through CSR activity or in a personal capacity.

The judges will be looking for entrants who stand out from the crowd and have had a positive and demonstrable impact on their organisation, colleagues and communities.

There are many factors that the Judges can consider but will be looking for evidence of great client care, involvement in CSR activities, personal development, team working, leadership, empathy and professional respect.

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Client Experience is of paramount importance in the legal profession today. It is a key differentiator and of huge value to winning and retaining private and commercial clients.

The client experience is about how you communicate your value to clients, how you tailor and deliver your services to create a positive and memorable experience and how you manage client expectations to leave them highly satisfied and wanting to recommend you.

A big part of the client experience is the environment, culture and support you create within the organisation to allow your people to deliver great client experiences. This includes the client experience training and support you provide, the service focused leadership, the client led policies and processes you create, your research with clients to identify what they value and how they feel about your client experience, and how you empower your staff to identify, manage and meet client expectations in the best way possible that the client really values.

Judges will be looking for quality evidence of all of the above points as well as how you measure the success of your client experience and demonstrate continual review, improvement and ongoing innovative ways of creating a client centric firm.

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Teams from private practice law firms and in-house lawyer departments in commerce or public service are invited to enter for this award.

Great teamwork is an essential part of modern business and especially so in legal practice where a combination of skill sets is needed.

Entries should show:

• The purpose of the team, why it was formed.

• What objectives are set and how are they achieved?

• How the team is motivated?

• Highlights from the last year.

As well as demonstrating a culture of teamwork entrants should show how, through the combination of effort, they have achieved excellence in the delivery of services and/or made a significant contribution to their community. Evidence of client perception of team work would also assist the judges. Particular note will be taken of activities ‘beyond the call of duty’.

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This award gives you the opportunity to be publicly recognised within the region as a great employer of choice where people really want to work.

In order to attract and retain the best talent, your employer brand is a key differentiator in the marketplace.

The judges will be looking for compelling evidence that you are committed to creating a great place to work and that employees are really engaged in their work.

The judges will expect to see clear policies, commitment and best practice in:

• Creating a supportive and happy culture.

• Strong leadership that trusts, empowers and engages staff at all levels.

• How employees are challenged and fulfilled in their roles.

• How employees are recognised and rewarded for their job.

• How staff feel about working for you and how fairly they feel treated.

• Employee Benefits.

• How employees are trained and developed to achieve their potential.

• How employees’ wellbeing is considered and managed.

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Is your organisation passionate about being planet-friendly? Is sustainability embedded in your business culture?

The winner of this award will be able to demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainable business practices with clear evidence of achievement showing, inter alia:

- Measurable reductions in their carbon footprint and other environmental wins,

- Supply chain consciousness

- Embedded values that are communicated to key stakeholders

- Full staff engagement in sustainability initiatives

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What makes your firm special? This award draws together many of the qualities sought in other categories to find the law firm that has a winning formula. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence including:

• A strong reputation and public profile.

• First class client care – testimonials and a strong strategy will help.

• Effective management – do your staff achieve the best possible results?

• Strong staff engagement and training – how is this achieved?

• Great teamwork – demonstrate how your teams work so well.

• Engaging CSR programme – how do you have a positive impact on your community and environment?

• Culture of innovation – how do you take advantage advances in knowledge and technology?

• Deep expertise in areas of practice.

Nominee firms will be able to demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how that is being

achieved. Evidence of excellence might include testimonials, accreditations, awards and the sharing of results.

Entries are invited from any firm with a turnover of less than £3m including sole practitioners, small niche practices and general high street firms.

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The judges will want to know why you stand head & shoulders above your competitors. Nominees for this category will be solicitor brand ambassadors and will demonstrate how they are able to harness their resources to deliver excellence across a broad range of measures. You should be able to prove:

• A strong reputation and public profile.

• First class client care – testimonials and a strong strategy will help.

• Effective management – do your staff achieve the best possible results?

• Strong staff engagement and training – what makes your firm such a great place to work? Do you have a good staff retention level?

• Great teamwork – demonstrate how your teams work so well.

• Engaging CSR programme – how do you have a positive impact on your community and environment?

• Culture of innovation – how do you take advantage advances in knowledge and technology?

• Deep expertise in areas of practice.

Nominee firms will be able to demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how that is being achieved. Evidence of excellence might include testimonials, accreditations, awards and the sharing of results.