Last year marked the launch of the inagural Financial Remedies Awards, and what an evening it was! The room was filled with people at all levels of their journey within Financial Remedies, brought together to celebrate excellence within the field.

Recently, we got in touch with last years winners to talk about what winning their award meant to them. This is what they said:

What did winning the award mean to you?

“I was absolutely over the moon.  It was recognition for having an idea and a steely determination to see it through.  The awards ceremony was wonderfully curated and I was in the company of the giants in the Financial Remedies space.”

“It was a genuine honour, especially given the intimidating calibre of the judging panel!”

“It was an honour (and genuine surprise) to win Class Legal's inaugural Financial Remedies award for Barrister of the Year. Winning this award meant a great deal to me particularly because the judging criteria focused on recognising those who had made an all-round contribution to this area of the law - speaking at conferences, writing articles and other pieces, committee work, contributing to reports etc - rather than just having been instructed as counsel on the ‘biggest’ cases. The criteria also focused on those who had made non-court dispute resolution - and promoting and advancing the same - a significant part of their practice. I am also aware just how strong the field of applicants was!”

“I was over the moon to be recognised by such an amazing panel of judges.”

How has it benefited your firm?

“I immediately added the winners logo to my email sign-off and website biography.  This is a prestigious award and I'm extremely proud and honoured to 'show it off'.”

“Winning the award was of benefit to my chambers (29 Bedford Row) - it allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to all aspects of financial remedies law and non-court dispute resolution in particular - which has been a major focus of chambers’ work particularly since the significant renovation works to our buildings in 2022.”

“As a relatively new boutique firm, it was great for us to even have a nomination alongside more traditional and established firms – winning was a bonus!”

What would you say to someone considering entering?

“Consider nominating yourself or a colleague. To be short-listed is recognition enough but to be awarded really is something special.”

“I would encourage anyone to apply.  The judges take a broad range of criteria into account (not just reported decisions and rankings in legal directories) and there is nothing to lose!”

“So I would say to someone considering entering that they should apply! These awards are consciously different in focus to many of the other annual awards as they reward different criteria. They also have a pre-eminent list of judges and so it is a privilege to be shortlisted (let alone win!).”

“Go for it! People are often slow to shout about their achievements but even just drafting the application helps to serve as a reminder of the great things you are doing each day. It can be easy to get bogged down in the urgency and minutiae of this job so it’s great to have a reason to celebrate.”

To find out more about the Financial Remedies Awards, click here.