Winners Revealed at Manchester Legal Awards 2026

Key Points

• Winners of the 2026 Manchester Legal Awards were announced at a black-tie ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
• Over 600 legal professionals from the North West attended the 17th annual event.
• There were 22 award categories and 88 shortlisted entries.
• Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, Tuckers Solicitors North West LLP, and the Government Legal Department each won two awards.
• Darryl Cooke, executive chairman at gunnercooke, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Fran Eccles-Bech received a special recognition for her outstanding contribution as she prepares to retire from Manchester Law Society.
• Organisers and partners praised the event’s organisation and its role in highlighting regional legal excellence.
• Full list of winners and sponsors included firms such as Myerson, BCLP, Hall Brown, TLT, JMW, Fieldfisher, Brabners, and many more.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) July 03, 2026 – The Manchester Legal Awards 2026 ceremony took place at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, drawing more than 600 of the North West’s legal professionals to honour achievement across 22 categories, with 88 shortlisted entries and several firms collecting multiple prizes.

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: What were the headline winners and who took multiple awards?

As reported by Michael Taylor of TheBusinessDesk.com, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP emerged with multiple wins, claiming Corporate / Commercial Team of the Year and Regulatory Team of the Year. Tuckers Solicitors North West LLP secured Crime Team of the Year, while the Government Legal Department won Employment Team of the Year and its solicitor, Jenni Palmer, was named Solicitor of the Year. These firms led the night with two awards apiece, underlining their prominent roles in the region.

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award and why was it significant?

As reported by Manchester Law Society in its event coverage, Darryl Cooke, executive chairman at gunnercooke, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade recognised his long-standing influence and contribution to the legal profession and marks a highlight in a ceremony that also served to honour careers and service.

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: Which individuals and teams received special recognition at the ceremony?

Fran Eccles-Bech, chief executive at Manchester Law Society, was publicly acknowledged at the start of the night for her outstanding contribution to the Manchester legal community across three decades. As quoted by Fran Eccles-Bech for the Manchester Law Society, “As we draw the curtains on the 17th year of the Manchester Legal Awards, and my last one before I retire later this year, I can truly say what a memorable evening it was for everyone involved. The MLAs are designed to shine a light on our region’s legal professionals, honouring those who continuously go above and beyond. Thank you to RMS, our marketing partner, for once again delivering brilliant PR and branding, and The Business Desk, the MLAs’ media partner, for its support, and helping our winners get the recognition they deserve.”

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: What did partners and media say about the event’s organisation and impact?

Ruth Shearn, founder at RMS PR, Marketing & Design, told TheBusinessDesk.com that RMS has been part of the MLAs since the outset and praised the partnership’s growth: “Our 17-year-long partnership is a testament to the relationships we’ve built with the Manchester Law Society, and we can’t wait to see what the next year will bring.” Michael Taylor, editor at TheBusinessDesk.com, noted the passion entrants bring to the process and described the night as energising for judges and attendees alike.

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: Which teams and individuals won each award category?

The full list of winners (with event sponsors) as provided by Manchester Law Society and TheBusinessDesk.com follows:

• Outstanding contribution to the Manchester legal community
  • WINNER: Fran Eccles-Bech
• Corporate Culture & Wellbeing Champions of the Year
  • WINNER: Myerson Solicitors
  • SPONSOR: Boss Office
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champions of the Year
  • WINNER: BCLP LLP
  • SPONSOR: Document Direct
• Corporate / Commercial Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
  • SPONSOR: Shieldpay
• Crime Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Tuckers Solicitors North West LLP
  • SPONSOR: Forensic Equity Limited
• Employment Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Government Legal Department Employment Team
  • SPONSOR: Fletchers Group
• Family Law Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Hall Brown Family Law
  • SPONSOR: William James Recruitment Ltd
• In-house Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Peninsula Business Services Limited
  • SPONSOR: Fletchers Group
• Litigation Team of the Year
  • WINNER: TLT LLP
  • SPONSOR: Quantuma Advisory Ltd
• PI / Clinical Negligence Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Manchester Arena Civil Litigation Team: Hudgell Solicitors, Slater + Gordon Lawyers, Broudie Jackson Canter, Byrom Street Chambers, Temple Garden Chambers
  • SPONSOR: Blume
• Private Client Team of the Year
  • WINNER: JMW Solicitors LLP
  • SPONSOR: Hall Brown Family Law
• Property Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Fieldfisher LLP
  • SPONSOR: Landmark Information Group
• Regulatory Team of the Year
  • WINNER: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
  • SPONSOR: Orca Call Answering & Live Chat
• Unsung Hero of the Year
  • WINNER: Suzie Sutcliffe, Hugh James
  • SPONSOR: Burton Copeland
• Trainee / Paralegal / Apprentice / Legal Executive of the Year
  • WINNER: Katie Southern – Tuckers Solicitors North West LLP
  • SPONSOR: Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Solicitor of the Year
  • WINNER: Jenni Palmer – Government Legal Department
  • SPONSOR: Datalaw
• Partner of the Year
  • WINNER: Carol Couse – Mills & Reeve LLP
  • SPONSOR: Hugh James
• Barrister / KC of the Year
  • WINNER: Natasha Khalique – Exchange Chambers
  • SPONSOR: One Claims Management
• Barristers Chambers of the Year
  • WINNER: St John’s Buildings Chambers
  • SPONSOR: Weightmans LLP
• Small Law Firm of the Year (1–5 partners nationally)
  • WINNER: Aequitas Legal
  • SPONSOR: Lawshare (JMW Solicitors LLP)
• Medium Law Firm of the Year (6–20 partners nationally)
  • WINNER: IMD Solicitors LLP
  • SPONSOR: Laurel AI
• Large Law Firm of the Year (21+ partners nationally)
  • WINNER: Brabners LLP
  • SPONSOR: Miller Insurance Limited LLP
• Lifetime Achievement
  • WINNER: Darryl Cooke – gunnercooke LLP
  • SPONSOR: Manchester Law Society 2026

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: How did attendees and judges describe the quality of entries and the selection process?

As reported by Michael Taylor of TheBusinessDesk.com, judges were impressed by the depth and commitment shown in entries across categories. Taylor wrote that the judging day left him “absolutely bowled over by how much heart and soul the entrants put into the process,” and that interviewing winners on the night revealed the genuine pride and joy felt by successful firms and individuals.

Manchester Legal Awards 2026 winners revealed: What is the purpose and history of the Manchester Legal Awards?

The Manchester Legal Awards were launched in 2010 to showcase achievement, influence, and commitment across the legal profession in the North West. The awards now run annually and have become a flagship event for the regional legal community, recognising firms and individuals across private practice, in-house teams, and the judiciary and bar.

Background of the particular development

The Manchester Legal Awards, established in 2010, were created to celebrate legal excellence across the North West and to provide recognition for a range of practice areas and career stages. Over 17 years the event has expanded its categories and partnerships, attracting increasing entries and attendance. Major sponsors and media partners, including RMS and TheBusinessDesk.com, have supported the awards’ growth and visibility. The annual ceremony serves not only to award outstanding legal work but also to highlight issues such as wellbeing, diversity, and in-house legal capability across the profession.

Prediction: How this development can affect the North West legal community

The Manchester Legal Awards’ 2026 results reinforce the reputation of multiple firms and individuals in the North West legal market. Recognition in prominent categories typically boosts firms’ profiles with clients and recruits, enhances marketing and business development opportunities, and can aid retention by publicly acknowledging staff achievements. For smaller firms and rising individuals, awards drive credibility and can lead to heightened local and national referrals. The emphasis on categories such as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Corporate Culture & Wellbeing signals to the wider profession that these areas are valued metrics of success, encouraging firms to invest further in inclusive practices and staff welfare. Overall, the awards help shape competitive positioning and professional priorities across the region’s legal sector.