Awards & Accreditations

Yorkshire Lawyer Awards

Yorkshire Lawyer Awards were launched in 2000 to pay tribute and give recognition to outstanding legal talent in Yorkshire and the awards are hotly contested amongst legal practices in the region. Watson Esam is proud to have won two of the awards since 2005.

In 2005, Jay Bhayani, the firm's senior partner and head of the commercial and employment departments won the Employment Lawyer Award and received her award from host Gaynor Barnes at Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate. Jay said "This is a real honour for me and makes 2005 even more special after having won the Law Society Race Equality Award too".

In 2007 the firm's family department won the Private Client Award and Watson Esam was the only firm in South Yorkshire to win an award. Again the presenter of the award was Gaynor Barnes, this time at Ripley Castle. Michelle Cooper, head of the family department said "I cannot congratulate the department enough. We have a superb team who work tirelessly to deliver first class services to our clients".

Law Society Race Equality Award

In May 2005, the outstanding achievements of eight law firms and legal departments in promoting equality and diversity were recognised by the Law Society and the Commission for Racial Equality. Watson Esam won the 'Best Employer' award (25 partners or less).

Presenting the trophies with BBC Watchdog presenter Nicky Campbell, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer said, "I am extremely impressed by the high standards of entries which demonstrate a real commitment to equality and diversity. These law firms realise that to be successful in a competitive and modern legal services market, they must be part of their communities and not different from them. I hope that these winners are indicative of a changing attitude among law firms."

Legal 500

Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers, in over 100 countries. It is regarded as the definitive, independent guide to the legal market. Following Watson Esam's debut into the Legal 500 in 2006, the family, charity and employment departments have continued to gain recognition. Senior Partner, Jay Bhayani says "Amid the recent turmoil in the legal profession, with shrinking legal practices and giants swallowing smaller, long standing businesses we have recognised that survival lies in creating expert teams to meet the demands of an increasingly specialised world. We have strived to build up our highly regarded niche practices of employment law, family law and charities law. Our success is down to our people and our determination and we feel that the Legal 500 recognition is just reward for this."

Law Society Children Panel

The Children Panel accreditation is designed to indicate to clients that the holder is experienced in representing children and other parties under the Children Act 1989. Approved scheme members can provide advice and representation for children in all family matters, for adults when their children are at risk or taken into care, and for local authorities in care proceedings. Our managing partner, Kate Fitzpatrick and associate Paul Szabo are both members of the scheme, offering the high standard of advice required by the accreditation.

Resolution

Resolution, which was formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA), is an organisation of lawyers who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters. Resolution also campaigns for improvements to the family justice system. Members adhere to Resolution's code of practice, the principles of which are widely recognised and have been adopted by the Law Society as recommended good practice for all family lawyers.

Accredited Specialists

Accredited specialists are proven experts in different areas of family law - like divorce finances, domestic abuse or international cases. Michelle Cooper, head of our family department is an accredited specialist in advanced financial provision and domestic abuse.

Collaborative Lawyers

Collaborative lawyers work with clients, their partner and their partner's lawyer, in a series of face to face negotiations, to help resolve family disputes. Our solicitor, Joanne Harriman is a trained collaborative lawyer.

Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark (SQM)

The Specialist Quality Mark is a quality assurance standard for providers of legal services that:

• Supply complex legal help in specific areas of law
• Provide full range of legal services, including representation in court (where necessary and permitted) by formally trained professionals
• Wish to offer Legal Services Commission funding (previously know as Legal Aid)
• Are well run and provide good client care

Yorkshire and Humberside Brokerage Platform. 5*

This is a unique and impartial database of quality assured service providers working in the Yorkshire and Humber Region. It is based on customer feedback and references. Watson Esam has attained 5 star accreditation.

Employment Lawyers Association

This is a national organisation of over 5000 members, all of whom specialise in employment law. Members are drawn from all branches of the legal profession and include barristers and solicitors who act for employers and employees, trade unions, the voluntary sector, industry and the judiciary. It aims to promote best practice in employment law. Associate Katie Beal is a member of the association.

Charity Law Association

The Charity Law Association (CLA) has over 885 members, including many of the country's largest charities and most leading charity lawyers. Its aim is to enable those who advise on, or use charity law to meet together, to exchange ideas and intelligence and to use their experience and expertise for the benefit of the charity sector. Jay Bhayani and Jonathan Brayshaw are members of the association.

Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is a not-for-profit organisation, which exists to fight for the rights of injured people. Its members are solicitors and barristers who are committed to helping people who have been injured through the negligence of others to gain justice. Solicitor Jonathan Holsgrove is a member of the association.

Rights of Audience in the Higher Civil Courts (Solicitor-Advocates)

In England and Wales solicitors and barristers carry out different functions. Generally, solicitors deal with members of the public and interface with clients. They carry out all legal work but only have rights of audience in the lower courts which consist of the magistrates courts (criminal), county courts (civil), tribunals and also interlocutory hearings which are heard in chambers (private hearings) in the High Court. Barristers have rights of audience in all courts, including those above, but also the higher courts which comprise the Crown Court (criminal), High Court (civil), Court of Appeal and House of Lords. They undergo different training to solicitors and typically they do not deal with the clients directly, but through solicitors (although there are exceptions to this).

Solicitor-advocates, once qualified have full rights of audience in the higher courts (although this may be limited to civil or criminal courts only), and hence can represent clients there. Qualification is complicated and only solicitors with relevant experience can go through the process. Solicitor advocates are strictly regulated by the solicitors' governing body the SRA (Solicitors' Regulation Authority). Managing Partner, Kate Fitzpatrick has been granted Rights of Audience in the higher courts (Civil Proceedings). This means that she has the right to present cases as an advocate in the Higher Courts in all proceedings and in all other courts in civil - including family - proceedings. Kate can exercise any of the functions of appearing before and addressing a court including calling and examining of witnesses.