Categories and Criteria

There are twelve award categories, find out the criteria for each award below:

Resolution Solicitor of the Year

This award celebrates a solicitor who embodies and champions Resolution’s core values. They are a passionate advocate for the Resolution approach and exemplify this by the use of the Code of Practice in their daily work.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• evidence of providing clients with clear, effective options to help them make informed decisions
• demonstrated ability to collaborate with others, working towards the best possible outcome for clients
• evidence of actively reducing and managing conflict, focusing on promoting constructive solutions

Submit an entry

Resolution Barrister of the Year

This award celebrates a barrister who embodies and champions Resolution’s core values. They are a passionate advocate for the Resolution approach and exemplify this by the use of the Code of Practice in their daily work.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• evidence of providing clients with clear, effective options to help them make informed decisions
• demonstrated ability to collaborate with others, working towards the best possible outcome for clients
• evidence of actively reducing and managing conflict, focusing on promoting constructive solutions

Submit an entry

Resolution Legal Executive of the Year

This award celebrates a legal executive who embodies and champions Resolution’s core values. They are a passionate advocate for the Resolution approach and exemplify this by the use of the Code of Practice in their daily work.

Judges will look at the following criteria

• evidence of providing clients with clear, effective options to help them make informed decisions
• demonstrated ability to collaborate with others, working towards the best possible outcome for clients
• evidence of actively reducing and managing conflict, focusing on promoting constructive solutions

Submit an entry

Resolution Rising Star

Sponsored by Cansford Laboratories

For an emerging talent (YRes member – i.e. within the first ten years of their career) who has demonstrated their potential as a future leader of family justice.

Judges will look for the following criteria:

• going above and beyond to champion the Code of Practice
• a commitment to making the family justice landscape the best it can be
• acting as a positive voice and role model for their peers and future family practitioners

Submit an entry

Resolution Legal Aid Practitioner of the Year

This award celebrates an individual or group who have committed their expertise to give the most vulnerable individuals access to justice in family law. It recognises the specialist skills legal aid practitioners demonstrate when working with vulnerable people, often in complex situations.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• applying special expertise in complex family cases
• improving access to justice for all and advocating for change in the system
• demonstrating resilience in challenging circumstances to support their clients

Submit an entry

Resolution Region of the Year

This award recognises the Resolution region that has worked the hardest to build a strong network of members with our Code of Practice at its centre. This could be through helping share best practice, supporting junior professionals in the region, raising the local profile of Resolution or hosting innovative training and networking events. Judges will focus on the quality and breadth of the region’s initiatives, rather than its size.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• commitment to building an active regional community of family justice professionals
• evidence of the positive impact on members in the region, and the families they work with
• evidence of a growing region and demonstrating the appeal of Resolution membership to future potential members

Submit an entry

Resolution Firm of the Year

This award recognises a firm that has fully embraced the Resolution ethos and approach, placing Resolution and its Code of Practice at the core of all its family law work. The winning firm will demonstrate a deep commitment to these principles through its induction process, training policy, mentoring and support for junior practitioners and its outward facing communications.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• evidence of how Resolution is actively promoted within the firm
• evidence of how team members are encouraged to participate in Resolution activities, fostering professional growth and collaboration
• commitment to Resolution’s values within the firm’s approach to professional development

Submit an entry

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

This award recognises an individual or group driving positive change in equality, diversity and inclusion within the family justice sector.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
• applying innovative policies or working practices to support equality, diversity and inclusion and/or improve social mobility
• evidence of the positive impact made to addressing equality, diversity and inclusion in the family justice profession, including tangible outcomes and changes in culture

Submit an entry

Resolution Children Practitioner of the Year

This award recognises an individual or group from any category of the Resolution membership who has made a difference to the lives of children from separating families. Nominees will be able to show how they champion children’s voices and advocate a child-centred approach.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• leading the way in championing the voice of children and their experience of parental separation
• helping other professionals to take a child-centred approach
• demonstrating the positive impact on children in the family justice system

Submit an entry

Resolution Finance Professional of the Year 

This award recognises an individual or group from any category of the Resolution membership including financial advisers, who has gone above and beyond to put the code at the heart of clients’ approach to financial matters.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• evidence of working with other resolution members
• commitment to continually develop knowledge and skills
• evidence of helping clients understand and navigate both the long term financial and emotional consequences of their decisions

Submit an entry

Resolution Out of Court Practitioner of the Year

This award recognises an individual or group from any category of the Resolution membership who has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in resolving disputes outside of court. The recipient of this award has shown a commitment to the code, helping clients reach fair and amicable solutions without the need for formal litigation.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• evidence of innovative and collaborative approaches to resolving family matters outside of court
• demonstrable impact in helping clients manage both the legal and emotional aspects of disputes

Submit an entry

Resolution Lifetime Achievement Award – in memory of John Cornwell

This prestigious award, in honour of John Cornwell, one of Resolution’s founders, is presented annually to an individual or group who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to family justice.

The award recognises those who have championed our Code of Practice throughout their career.

Entries must be nominated by another member, you cannot self-nominate for this category.

Judges will look at the following criteria:

• a sustained contribution to upholding the Code of Practice over time, which has made a significant difference either regionally or nationally to family justice
• a body of work which could include: writing books, articles and/or reports, public activities such as media or fundraising activity, supporting younger members, developing innovative practices/projects
• evidence of making a positive impact to peers and/or separating families.

Submit an entry