The SLS Legal Awards 2026 took place on Thursday 15 October at G Live, Guildford, bringing together Surrey's legal community for a fantastic evening celebrating excellence and achievement.
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Established in 2018, the SLS Legal Awards celebrate the outstanding legal talent within the Surrey Law Society community. Proudly sponsored in 2026 by Evelyn Partners, the Awards have become one of the county’s leading legal celebrations, recognising the exceptional achievements of firms, teams and individuals across Surrey’s legal profession.
The SLS Legal Awards 2026 took place on Thursday 15 October at G Live, Guildford, bringing together members of Surrey’s legal community for our biggest Awards ceremony to date. It was a wonderful evening of celebration, recognising excellence, innovation and achievement across the profession.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all our 2026 winners, highly commended entrants and finalists, whose achievements reflect the exceptional talent, dedication and commitment found across Surrey’s legal community.
Our sincere thanks go to everyone who joined us, our generous sponsors and event partners, and all those who helped make the evening such a success.
You can explore the 2026 results and enjoy the official photographs from this year’s celebrations using the links below.
View the 2026 Winners & Finalists
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The categories for the 2026 SLS Legal Awards are listed below.
DMH Stallard LLP
Helen Smith Immigration
Rosewood Solicitors
Highly Commended: Peacock & Co Solicitors
Downs Solicitors
Highly Commended: Family Team, Dutton Gregory LLP
DMH Stallard LLP
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Howell Jones Solicitors
DMH Stallard LLP
Criminal Defence Team, Rosewood Solicitors
Christine Goodyear, GBH Law
Samantha Jago, DMH Stallard LLP
Client Services Team, Elite Law Solicitors
Claire-Louise Smith, Pearson Hards LLP
Victoria Clarke, Elite Law Solicitors
Our biggest SLS Legal Awards celebration to date.
On 15 October 2026, Surrey’s legal community came together at G Live, Guildford, for an unforgettable evening recognising the achievements of our firms, teams and individuals.
With entertainment from comedian Hal Cruttenden and some truly inspiring winners, it was a memorable celebration of Surrey’s legal community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Awards such a success!
We’re already looking forward to the next SLS Legal Awards! Here’s what you need to know about the year ahead.
Every year, the SLS Legal Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable people, teams and firms making a difference across Surrey’s legal community.
Start thinking about the achievements and success stories you could put forward when nominations open in February 2027.
A huge thank you to the brilliant Hal Cruttenden, who brought plenty of laughter to the SLS Legal Awards 2026 with a fantastic stand-up performance before taking the reins as host of our Awards ceremony.
One of the UK’s most established stand-up comedians, Hal is known for his sharp observational humour and energetic performances.
A familiar face from television, his credits include Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You? He has also toured extensively throughout the UK and internationally.
Hal was a wonderful addition to this year’s celebrations, helping to make our biggest Awards evening to date such a memorable occasion.
HEADLINE SPONSOR OF THE SLS LEGAL AWARDS 2026
Evelyn Partners is the UK’s leading integrated wealth management and professional services group, created following the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson. With £54.4 billion of assets under management (as at 31 March 2023), it ranks as the second largest UK wealth manager measured by EBITDA and the fifth largest professional services firm ranked by fee income (source: Accountancy Age 50+50 rankings, 2022).
It has a network of offices across 28 towns and cities in the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. Through its operating companies, the Group offers an extensive range of financial and professional services to individuals, family trusts, professional intermediaries, charities and businesses.
Evelyn Partners’ purpose is to ‘place the power of good advice into more hands’, and it is uniquely well-placed to support clients with both their personal financial affairs and their business interests. Evelyn Partner’s personal wealth management services include financial planning, investment management and advice, personal tax advice and, through Bestinvest, an award-winning online investment service for self-directed investors. For businesses, its wide range of services includes assurance and accounting, business tax advice, employee benefits, forensic advice, fund administration, fund governance, recovery and restructuring and transaction services.
Evelyn Partners, Headline Sponsor & Sponsor of Law Firm of the Year (16+)
Evelyn Partners is the UK’s leading integrated wealth management and professional services group, created following the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson. With £54.4 billion of assets under management (as at 31 March 2023), it ranks as the second largest UK wealth manager measured by EBITDA and the fifth largest professional services firm ranked by fee income (source: Accountancy Age 50+50 rankings, 2022).
It has a network of offices across 28 towns and cities in the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. Through its operating companies, the Group offers an extensive range of financial and professional services to individuals, family trusts, professional intermediaries, charities and businesses.
Evelyn Partners’ purpose is to ‘place the power of good advice into more hands’, and it is uniquely well-placed to support clients with both their personal financial affairs and their business interests. Evelyn Partner’s personal wealth management services include financial planning, investment management and advice, personal tax advice and, through Bestinvest, an award-winning online investment service for self-directed investors. For businesses, its wide range of services includes assurance and accounting, business tax advice, employee benefits, forensic advice, fund administration, fund governance, recovery and restructuring and transaction services.
Miller Insurance Services LLP, Drinks Reception Sponsor & Sponsor of Employer of the Year
Miller Insurance Services LLP (Miller) is a leading specialist (re)insurance broking firm with a rich heritage of over 120 years. Our team of professionals harness their distinct expertise and knowledge to the benefit of our clients. It is our specialism, unparalleled service, and client-centric approach that sets us apart from the rest.
How we help law firms
We empower SRA and CLC regulated legal firms with risk management services and insurance programmes that can include Professional Indemnity, Cyber, D&O, Office and After the Event cover.
With direct access to a broad range of A-rated insurers and exclusive market-leading facilities, we deliver high-quality, competitively priced and tailored solutions for every firm size and type – from new start-ups to freelancers and sole practitioners, high street practices and Top 100 firms.
Pro Drive, Sponsor of Law Firm of the Year (Up to 15 Fee Earners)
Pro Drive work with law firms who prefer to outsource the planning and management of their IT systems. Our clients want to use technology to help put them ahead of their competition but they do not have the time or expertise to do this themselves. We can help with IT Support & Cyber Security, built around a strategic plan.
Guildford Chambers, Sponsor of Family Law Team of the Year
Guildford Chambers is a progressive, multi-disciplinary set of barristers, uniquely positioned to provide competitive and effective advocacy for individuals and businesses in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, London and the Southeast.
Our growing portfolio of client’s value that we work with them as an extension of their team, and we endeavour to build strong and successful working relationships. We operate a system of specialist practice groups which ensure you receive the best advice and advocacy from your chosen barrister.
Our barristers and experienced, responsive clerking team share an uncompromising attitude to quality and client service with a sensible approach to cost.
Landmark Information, Sponsor of Property Law Team of the Year
Landmark Information is at the forefront of legal products and data supply to support the UK’s Property Professionals. Our dedicated, personal approach supports legal professionals in their due diligence in line with the Law Society and SRA requirements. Landmarks longevity in the legal market brings valuable experience and dependability to risk solutions whilst continuing to innovate.
Cansford Laboratories, Sponsor of Community Impact Award
Cansford Labs is a Cardiff-based specialist in drug, alcohol and DNA testing, and proud sponsors of the Community Impact Award. Since 2010, we have worked alongside barristers, family lawyers, social workers and safeguarding professionals, delivering fast, accurate and court-ready results within three working days. Our work sits at the intersection of science and human consequence. The outcomes we help inform ripple outward into families, communities, and lives. We are delighted to sponsor the Community Impact Award because we understand, every day, what it means to do work that genuinely matters beyond the walls of an organisation.
VSiD, Sponsor of Professional Support & Practice Management Award
VSiD Verify is a leading provider of electronic signature, digital identity and fraud detection technology with solutions especially tailored for the legal claims and property conveyance sectors. With fraud on the increase, and mounting pressure from regulators to ensure due diligence standards are met, VSiD can help automate onboarding processes, reduce risk and save time. VSiD is a government listed Digital Verification Service (DVS) and an HMLR Gateway partner that complies with GPG45, UK ICO/eIDAS 2 regulations, meets ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certification standards and is FCA approved for Open Banking to verify bank account ownership.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any queries regarding an award category, the shortlist, judging process or the Awards Dinner.
Email: helen.opie@surreylawsociety.org.uk or elouise.enright@surreylawsociety.org.uk or phone: 0333 577 3830 Mobile : 07597 582400
