Cris McCurley, of north-east firm Ben Hoare Bell, was named Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice in the 2014 Law Society Excellence Awards, which were presented at a dinner in London last night.

Nicholas Crichton CBE, founder of the pioneering Family Drug and Alcohol Court, was named Law Society Gazette Legal Personality of the Year. 

Law Society president Andrew Caplen said: ‘Last night was a celebration of the remarkable work of individual solicitors as well as the successes and innovations of practices and firms, both large and small. It was a triumph. 

‘Rarely do you get such a breadth of talent under one roof and it is heartening to see the continuous good work that makes our profession what it is.’

For a full list of award winners go to the Law Society website.