The finalists in the Law Society Excellence Awards 2013 have been announced, following a record number of entries. The shortlist includes outstanding individuals and teams who have set new precedents in the profession. Now in its seventh year, and bigger than ever before, the event showcases some of the brightest legal talent in England and Wales.

The winners will be announced by BBC broadcaster Mishal Husain at a gala awards dinner on 22 October at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London. The Excellence Awards reward the most outstanding practitioners in the legal profession and are open to the entire legal sector, not just solicitors.

Entries were scrutinised earlier this month by a line-up of specialist judges, including Rt Hon Sadiq Khan, chairman of Which? Patrick Barwise, former attorney general Lord Goldsmith, CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation Monique Villa, master of the rolls Lord Dyson, and solicitor and High Court Judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom.

Law Society president Nicholas Fluck said: “The standards this year have been exceptionally high, and I know the judges had a mammoth task on their hands in choosing whom to shortlist. The shortlisted candidates are those who are breaking new ground, showing innovation and who are outstanding representatives of the legal profession.

“It is heartening to see the legal sector showing no signs of complacency during economic turbulence and a changing legal landscape. The hardest part will be choosing the winners, for they are all, without exception, excellent indeed.”