A history of our awards
We’re proud to be recognised for setting new standards across our industry and nationally.
Hot 100 2026 - The Lawyer
Each year, this prestigious list celebrates legal professionals who demonstrate exceptional excellence and relevance. It features a diverse mix of outstanding individuals across all practice areas and career stages in the UK, recognising those who are shaping and elevating the future of the legal profession.
Chief Executive Officer Shirley Woolham has been named in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 List for 2026.
Since joining Minster Law in 2014, Shirley has led the firm to become one of the UK’s leading personal injury practices, championing the rights of claimants, driving meaningful change within the sector and advocating for attracting talent from all backgrounds.
Shirley’s recognition in The Hot 100 highlights her commitment to strengthening the personal injury sector and ensuring that Minster Law continues to lead through innovation, service excellence and meaningful societal impact.
Claimant Team of the Year (Finalist) - Personal Injury Awards 2025
The awards encompass all professionals and key service providers working in personal injury. Their aim is to identify high standards of practice and to inspire others to emulate the achievements of the sector’s finest practitioners and organisations.
Minster Law is delighted to be a finalist in the category of “Claimant Team of the Year” in the Personal Injury Awards.
Catastrophic Injury Team of the Year (Finalist) - Personal Injury Awards 2025
The awards encompass all professionals and key service providers working in personal injury. Their aim is to identify high standards of practice and to inspire others to emulate the achievements of the sector’s finest practitioners and organisations.
Minster Law is delighted to be a finalist in the category of “Catastrophic Injury Team of the Year” in the Personal Injury Awards.
Rising Star of the Year (Winner) - Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025
The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel made up of experts from across the Yorkshire legal community.
Our solicitor, Daniel Bates, was awarded “Rising Star of the Year”, which is a testament to his hard work and the development he has made at Minster Law.
“A massive congratulations to Dan on receiving the award! As the very first trainee in our business and operations seats 5 years ago, he didn’t just meet expectations—he surpassed them. His unwavering support both internally and externally to do what’s right for claimants has been profound. Dan had paved a new path for how future solicitors think about and contribute to the firm and the personal injury sector. We’re incredibly proud of his achievement and excited to see what he accomplishes next!” Joanne Peacock, Director of Legal Services, says.
Judges’ comments: This winner stood out as an excellent entry, providing exceptional evidence of how they met the criteria. It was heartwarming to see such promise from the junior profession, with this individual shining brightest among a very strong field.
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence (Finalist) - Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025
The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel made up of experts from across the Yorkshire legal community.
Minster Law is delighted to be a finalist in the category of “Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence” in The Yorkshire Legal Awards.
Highest Climber - Wakefield Top 100 Companies
Minster Law has been named the highest climber in the Wakefield area by Wakefield Top 100 Companies
The Wakefield Top 100 Companies initiative aims to help shine a light on the fantastic businesses of Wakefield, promoting the district as a place to do business with unrivalled investment and growth opportunities.
Specialist Law Firm of the Year (Finalist) - The Lawyer Awards 2025
Minster Law is delighted to be a finalist in the category of “Specialist firm of the Year” in The Lawyer Awards.
For the past couple of decades, The Lawyer Awards have been the ultimate stage for legal mastery in the UK, honouring top-notch lawyers and powerhouse firms across diverse areas.
Diversity and Inclusion Award (Finalist) - Clio Modern Law Awards 2025
Minster Law is honoured to be shortlisted for the Diversity & Inclusion Award in Clio Modern Law Awards.
Minster Law is honored to be shortlisted for the Diversity & Inclusion Award in Clio Modern Law Awards.
This recognition reflects our commitment to equality and diversity and to being a workplace that creates a sense of belonging for everyone.
Claims Partner of the Year 2024
The Insurance Times Awards are the awards designed to celebrate excellence, impact and innovation and recognise the cream of the crop across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Diversity and Inclusion 2023
Minster Law is honoured to have been awarded ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ at the British Claims Awards 2023, where our accessibility work and disability initiatives have been recognised.
The judges said: “Minster Law is achieving fantastic results across disability and social mobility, targeting specific issues with understanding and patience to improve accessibility, communications, and access to legal careers.”
Giving it Back to Charity 2023 - Highly Commended
Minster Law has been highly commended at the Insurance CX Awards 2023 for ‘Giving it Back to Charity’, an award that recognises innovative and influential approaches to fundraising and supporting charities. The prestigious awards ceremony hosted every year by Modern Insurance Magazine celebrates outstanding service in the insurance industry.
Young Achiever of the Year 2022 (Finalist)
The Personal Injury Awards provides a unique opportunity to highlight and celebrate the excellence of individuals and organisations across the personal injury sector. The awards identify high standards of practice and inspire others to emulate the achievements demonstrated by those who have been shortlisted.
Our solicitor, Daniel Bates, was shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year, which is a testament to his hard work and the development he has made at Minster Law.
Rising Star of the Year 2022 (Finalist)
The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel made up of experts from across the Yorkshire legal community.
Our solicitor, Daniel Bates, was shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year, which is a testament to his hard work and the development he has made at Minster Law.
Mediation Achiever of the Year (Finalist)
The Personal Injury Awards provides a unique opportunity to highlight and celebrate the excellence of individuals and organisations across the personal injury sector. The awards identify high standards of practice and inspire others to emulate the achievements demonstrated by those who have been shortlisted.
Excellence in Technology – Claims (Winner)
The Insurance Times Awards are designed to celebrate excellence and innovation and recognise the very best and brightest across the breadth of UK general insurance.
The judges said: A great solution to address the challenges of fixed costs that consumers face and by so doing improving the claimant experience.
Health and Wellbeing 2021 (Finalist)
The Investors in People Awards recognise organisations that have developed a health and wellbeing strategy that is having a hugely positive impact on the business and its people.
Law Firm of the Year 2021 (Finalist)
The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel made up of experts from across the Yorkshire legal community.
Best Use of Technology 2021 (Winner)
The Tech & Innovation Awards, hosted by Insurance Times, celebrate the very finest in UK general insurance technology and innovation. It recognises those within the industry embracing emerging opportunities and leading the charge for a better customer experience in a rapidly changing space.
Insurance Law Firm of the Year 2021 (Winner)
These awards champion claims as a service across insurance and celebrate the achievements and progress made by leading professionals and organisations on behalf of their clients. Insurance Law Firm of the Year recognises our innovative approach to legal work, ethical approach to dealing with claims, and our willingness to push beyond our comfort zone.
The host announcing our award said: “Minster Law impressed the judges with its focus on alternative dispute resolution and delivering a timely and well-made solution. This law firm is also sensible in its approach, preferring to enter into collaborations rather than being adversarial.”
Claims Product Solution of the Year 2021 (Finalist)
The Claims Excellence Awards, hosted by Insurance Times, is designed to recognise and reward excellence across claims and those who have direct contact with customers in their hour of need. Finalists were chosen for demonstrating innovate approaches and outstanding customer service.
Customer Care Solution of the Year 2021 (Finalist)
The Claims Excellence Awards, hosted by Insurance Times, is designed to recognise and reward excellence across claims and those who have direct contact with customers in their hour of need. Finalists were chosen for demonstrating innovate approaches and outstanding customer service.
Law Firm of the Year 2020 (Finalist)
The Yorkshire Legal Awards brings together the region’s legal community to recognise and celebrate its many achievements. The awards are judged by a prestigious independent panel made up of experts from across the Yorkshire legal community.
Learning and Development 2020 (Finalist)
The Investors in People Awards recognise organisations that have developed a learning and development strategy that is having a hugely positive impact on the business and its people.
Employer of the Year: Platinum 2020 (Finalist)
Based on our platinum accreditation, we were one of the top 20 UK organisations invited to enter the Employer of the Year category and we were successfully shortlisted. The award recognised our investment in people, our values, and our culture.
Best Newcomer 2020 (Finalist)
The Investors in People Awards shortlisted us for Best Newcomer 2020 for the strong focus on our people and the impact it’s having on our business. The award recognised our continuous improvement, our ambitions, and how our people are playing a key role in this.
Giving it Back to Charity (Winner)
Awarded by Modern Insurance Magazine at the Customer Service Excellence Awards 2020. Giving it Back to Charity recognises innovation and influential approach to fundraising and supporting charities
Investment in Company Culture (Winner)
Awarded by Modern Insurance Magazine at the Customer Service Excellence Awards 2020. Investment in Company Culture recognises commitment to staff, engagement, and positive company culture.
Giving it Back to Charity 2019 (Finalist)
Shortlisted by Modern Insurance Magazine at the Customer Service Excellence Awards 2019. Giving it Back to Charity recognises innovation and influential approach to fundraising and supporting charities.
Rehabilitation Initiative of the Year 2018 (Winner)
Awarded by Insurance Post at the Claims Awards 2018. This prestigious award recognised our innovative rehabilitation initiative to support motorcyclists’ recovery after an injury and them getting back on the road.
Rising Star of the Year 2018 (Finalist)
Shortlisted by the Yorkshire Legal Awards, recognising a colleague that has gone above and beyond within the business and made a positive impact on our customers, industry, and the wider community.
Innovation and People Development Award 2018 (Winner)
Awarded by CILEx in recognition of our innovative learning and development strategy and the impact it’s having on our people at Minster Law.
Marketing Campaign of the Year 2017 (winner)
Awarded by the Personal Injury Awards, which recognised our rehabilitation initiative to support injured motorcyclists in their recovery and getting them back on the road.
Outstanding Commitment to Training 2017 (winner)
Awarded by the Modern Claims Awards in recognition of our outstanding commitment to training and investment in our people.