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

Entries are sought from firms, companies, in-house teams and individuals that can illustrate a significant contribution to the profession.

How entries will be judged

All entries will be judged by panels of respected key players in the legal profession, including the president, vice-president and deputy-vice president of the Law Society, the Law Society's chief executive, the chief executive of the Bar Council and the secretary-general of the Institute of Legal Executives.

Other judges will include the director of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, the chairman of the Law Society's law management section, the director of the Professional Marketing Forum, and the director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, as well as the director of the Law Society's representation and law reform directorate, its commercial services directorate, and the Editor of the Gazette.

Shortlists will be developed and will be publicised in the Gazette in the run-up to the awards, which will take place on the evening of 12 November at a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Hyde Park, London.

All judges will review entries objectively and against the judging criteria.

It should be noted that the judges' decision is final and that no correspondence will be entered into.

How to enter

Once you have decided which category or categories you wish to enter, you should contact Claire Baumforth for more information, tel: 020 7316 5608; e-mail: gazetteawards@lawsociety.org.uk.

Closing date

The closing date for the awards is 1 September 2003.

All entries must be received by 5pm on this date.

Late entries will not be considered.

Awards presentation

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

For additional information or to book a table, tel: 020 7316 5608; e-mail: gazetteawards@lawsociety.org.uk.

Best use of IT - sponsored by ITNET

ITNET is delighted to be sponsoring this important award, and the shortlisted practices will be leaders in this constantly changing technical world.

ITNET's track record of delivering service, value and innovation in the field of IT services means that it fully appreciates the creativity and effort intrinsic in each of the selected practices' achievements.

Its unique combination of technical know-how and experience of business process and change management is transforming the way people work.

It continues to develop a strong reputation for itself by carefully providing customised services that meet the needs of today's changing and challenging environment.

Best marketing campaign - sponsored by Countrywide Legal Indemnities

Countrywide Legal Indemnities is the UK's leading legal indemnity intermediary and since 1997 has worked closely with the Law Society to provide its members with fast and efficient insurance solutions to a wide variety of property-related problems.

Opening for business in 1994, Countrywide quickly established itself as a major player in this specialist insurance market, combining technical expertise with a fresh customer focused approach.

Countrywide has always believed in the value of marketing, and many of you will be aware of the company's ongoing advertising in the Gazette, sponsorship of legal training and support for various Law Society activities.

Countrywide Legal Indemnities is delighted to sponsor the best marketing campaign award.

Excellence in practice management - sponsored by Barclays

Barclays knows that legal practices have very specific needs, different to those of other businesses, which is why having a manager with a real understanding of the profession is vital for firms to succeed.

Working closely with the Law Society means that Barclays can keep its relationship managers' knowledge of legal issues current and play its part in improving the efficient practice management of legal firms.

All of Barclays 120 specialist solicitor focused relationship managers across the country are accredited as consultants for the Law Society's LEXCEL standard.

Barclays is banker to 16 of the top 20 UK Law firms and 28 of the top 80 US Law firms in London, as well as being the only UK bank with a dedicated relationship director in New York, working with US firms with a European presence.

Best pro bono endeavour - sponsored by Scottish Widows

Scottish Widows Bank was the first lender to launch a mortgage specifically for professionals such as solicitors, accountants, doctors, and dentists allowing borrowing up to 110%.

Our professional mortgage has been endorsed by the Law Society and we have worked together over the past three years to bring an innovative product and enhanced terms with a uniquely personal service to your profession.

The scheme was designed specifically to meet the needs of professional people and the high level of interest shown by your profession is testimony to the Law Society's ability to secure preferential terms on behalf of its members.

Invaro is proud to sponsor the Law Society Gazette Awards and help champion excellence in the legal profession.

Championing excellence is something invaro has built its business upon, especially over recent months when many solicitors have questioned the future of the accident claims market.

Invaro continues to build on its reputation as a safe and trusted partner for solicitors seeking to offer conditional fee services.

By putting its focus on due diligence and quality control, invaro can provide a regular flow of high quality personal injury claims as well as the financial and support systems required to offer a streamlined and efficient service for clients.

To see how invaro could help you to grow your personal injury practice, visit its Web site.