The Gazette Centenary Awards seek to recognise the contribution to the legal profession of individuals, firms and in-house legal departments.

The Gazette Centenary Awards dinner will take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Hyde Park, London in the Nine King's Suite on 12 November 2003.

The event will include a champagne reception, a gala dinner, presentation of the award winners, and a live performance from Jamie Cullum - voted Best Newcomer in the BBC Jazz Awards.

The evening will be hosted by John Humphrys, presenter of the "Today" programme on Radio 4, and the Gazette team, with tickets available by the table or individually.

Ticket prices

The ticket price includes the champagne reception, gala dinner, and half a bottle of wine per person.

Additional wine or other alcoholic beverages may be ordered direct from the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Full tables are 1,500 (plus VAT), individual tickets are 180 (plus VAT)

How to book

If you have any queries about the evening please contact Claire Baumforth, tel: 020 7316 5608 or e-mail: gazetteawards@lawsociety.org.uk.

Best use of IT - sponsored by ITNET

This award will go to the firm - large or small - or the in-house legal department that in the past year has exhibited the best use of information technology to enhance processes and systems.

The benefits of the innovative use of technology could be either back office-based, that is, it can have a primarily administrative benefit, or it can be directly client facing.

Candidates should be able to exhibit a significant and measurable benefit to the firm and to the firm's clients.

Judged by:

Law Society e-commerce department - Gary BarkerGroup advertisement manager, Commercial Services, Law Society - Peter Garner

The shortlisted candidates for this award are:

Addleshaw Goddard - A to CBT - LibraryOnlineHalliday Reeves - CaseworkTJ Shepperson - Landlord-Law OnlineLovells - Mexican-WaveWragge & Co - clients & technology

Best marketing campaign - sponsored by Countrywide Legal Indemnities

This award will go to the most innovative, creative and inspiring marketing campaign by a law firm or in-house legal department in the past 12 months.

The criteria is wide ranging, encompassing conventional advertising campaigns, sponsorship arrangements, brochures and Web sites.

And, in relation to in-house legal departments, it would include recruitment campaigns.

Judged by:

Chairman of the Law Society's Law Management Section - Nick Jarrett-KerrDirector of the Professional Marketing Forum - Richard ChaplinDirector of Commercial Services, Law Society - John Tarry

The shortlisted candidates for this award are:

Alexander Harris - Web siteEversheds - Human Resources Group marketing campaignLeo Abse & Cohen - Perfume

Best pro bono endeavour - sponsored by Scottish Widows Bank

This award will go to the law firm or in-house legal department that has made a significant contribution to pro bono work during the past 12 months.

The criteria will involve showing a tangible benefit either to the local community - whether in the UK or abroad - or to the wider social good.

Examples include providing teams of lawyers to work in local advice centres, or the provision of legal advice to community social welfare groups.

Judged by:

Director of Solicitors Pro Bono Group - Sue BucknallLaw Society pro bono representative - Barbara CahalaneRepresentative from the Bar's free representation unit - Steve HynesBar Pro Bono Group - Alice Sheldon

The shortlisted candidates for this award are:

Allen & Overy - The Battersea PartnershipClifford Chance - Pro Bono and Community Affairs ProjectCollege of Law -Law in ActionLinklaters -Pro Bono and Community InvestmentWragge & Co - Community Support Programme

Lifetime achievement - in-house - sponsored by Hays ZMB

The in-house lifetime achievement award will be open to individuals in any section of employed practice, whether commerce and industry, or other private bodies, state prosecution, local or Westminster government or other public or quasi-public bodies.

The winner will be able to demonstrate over a career innovative and creative approaches to dealing with employers and outside providers of legal services.

Judged by:

Chairman of the City of London Law Society - David WyldLaw Society Vice-President - Edward NallyFormer Law Society President - David McIntosh

The shortlisted candidates for this award are:

Susie Flook - Body Shop International plcLouis Shakinovsky - BelronsElizabeth Wall - Law Book Consulting

Lifetime achievement - private client - sponsored by Title Research

This award will go to an individual lawyer who will be recognised for years of exemplary achievement in any area of private client work, including personal injury, family, residential property, trusts and probate, and media handling.

The winner will have to demonstrate a history of innovative thinking and analysis, landmark cases, and generally high standards of client care.

Judged by:

Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group - Richard MillerFormer Law Society President - Michael Mathews

The shortlisted candidates for this award are:

Louise Christian - Christian Khan SolicitorsJennifer Margrave - Jennifer C MargraveRodger Pannone - Pannone & Partners

AWARD CATEGORIES

Best use of IT, sponsor - ITNET

Excellence in risk management, sponsor - PYV Professional Indemnity

Excellence in practice standards, sponsor - Barclays

Best marketing campaign, sponsor - Countrywide Legal Indemnities

Best pro bono endeavour, sponsor - Scottish Widows Bank

Lifetime achievement in company/ commercial work, sponsor - Legal Opportunities

Lifetime achievement in private client work, sponsor - Title Research

In-house lifetime achievement, sponsor - Hays ZMB

Lifetime achievement in human rights work, sponsor - O2

Most significant contribution to the law/legal profession in 2002/2003, sponsor - invaro

Read the 16 October issue of the Gazette for part two of the Centenary Awards shortlists