We are delighted to share that Spall Clark has been named as a finalist for Boutique Firm of the Year (Legal) at the STEP Private Client Awards 2026. For us, this is a proud moment and an important recognition of the specialist private client work we do for individuals and families in Cheshire and beyond.

As a boutique law firm based in Congleton, Cheshire, we focus on private client matters including wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, trusts, inheritance tax planning and Court of Protection work. Our approach has always been simple: provide high-quality legal advice in plain English, with warmth, care and attention to detail.

The STEP Private Client Awards are widely recognised as one of the most respected awards programmes in the private client world. The awards are a hallmark of quality within the industry, open to firms and professionals around the world and judged through a rigorous process involving internationally recognised experts.

This year’s awards are the 21st annual STEP Private Client Awards, with 374 submissions from 26 countries. STEP announced that 71 firms and 23 individuals from 18 countries made the 2026 shortlist, underlining just how competitive and internationally respected these awards are. Winners will be announced on 17 September 2026 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

The Boutique Firm of the Year (Legal) award is specifically for specialist private client legal practices with an average of 25 or fewer fee earners globally. The judging criteria focus on three equally weighted areas: excellence in private client legal services, innovation and differentiation, and ethics, client trust and relationship management. In other words, this category is not simply about size or profile. It is about quality, specialist expertise, trusted relationships and delivering excellent outcomes for clients.

Being named a finalist in this category is especially meaningful because it reflects the values that sit at the heart of our firm. Spall Clark was founded as a boutique specialist private client practice, and we remain committed to providing legal advice that is expert, personal and easy to understand.

We are proud to be a specialist private client law firm based in Cheshire, acting for individuals, families, executors and attorneys locally and further afield. We are an award-nominated specialist legal practice, and that recognition matters because clients looking for private client solicitors in Congleton and across Cheshire often want the reassurance of specialist expertise combined with clear, personal advice.

We pride ourselves on providing clear advice in plain English and a genuine commitment to looking after clients well. That is exactly what this STEP finalist recognition represents to us. It is not only recognition of technical ability, but also of the way we support clients through some of life’s most important and sensitive decisions.

Private client law often involves deeply personal decisions, family considerations and complex legal and tax issues. Whether someone is putting a will in place, administering an estate, planning for later life or needing advice on trusts or powers of attorney, they want advice they can trust and a solicitor who will explain things clearly. That is what we aim to provide every day at Spall Clark.

Three of our solicitors are STEP members, and we advise on a wide range of specialist private client matters including cross-border estates, inheritance tax planning, trusts and Court of Protection work.

Our existing client feedback highlights the qualities we strive to bring to every matter: professionalism, clarity, reliability and a personal approach. Three of our solicitors are members of STEP and we have experience in complex and cross-border matters.

Awards do not define a firm, but recognition at this level does matter. The STEP Private Client Awards are designed to identify the firms and individuals setting the standard in private client practice. Being named as a finalist therefore offers reassurance to clients and professional contacts alike that Spall Clark is recognised for the quality of its work in this specialist field.

Other nominees in our category come from the USA, Canada, India and the UK. We are proud that a boutique private client firm from Cheshire has been recognised on the global stage. For us, this finalist position reflects not only the work of our team, but also the trust our clients place in us. We are grateful for that trust and proud to continue supporting individuals and families with specialist private client advice from our base in Congleton.

“My dealings with this firm have revealed them to be wholly professional, knowledgeable and above all tremendously kind and empathetic. In any matters of probate, power of attorney wills etc I would strongly recommend Spall Clark.”

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“Fantastic service from Spall Clark Solicitors. Becky and Paul are two of the most personable and helpful people you could hope to deal with. They make everything simple and stress‑free.”

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