We’re delighted to share that Setfords has been named ‘New Law Business of the Year’ at The Lawyer Awards 2025—a recognition of our long-standing commitment to transforming how legal services are delivered.
Now the UK’s largest and fastest-growing platform law firm, Setfords has spent nearly two decades refining a model that places flexibility, quality, and client experience at its core. Our platform supports over 600 lawyers nationwide with the tools, infrastructure, and back-office expertise they need to focus on delivering legal excellence.
Reflecting on the win, Guy Setford, Co-CEO, said:
“When we started Setfords in 2006, the idea of lawyers working as independent consultants within a fully supported national law firm was unfamiliar—some might have called it radical. Nearly two decades on, we’re incredibly proud to see that what was once considered ‘new’ has matured into a well-established and increasingly mainstream way of practising law.”
Chris Setford, Co-CEO, added:
“We’ve always believed there should be more than one way to build a successful legal career. The boundaries of ‘New Law’ are expanding. We’re now in an era where innovation and flexibility are not just differentiators—they’re expectations. Winning this award validates the belief that the platform model isn’t just viable; it’s setting a benchmark for how legal services can be delivered at scale, to a high quality and on the basis of a personal connection between lawyers and support teams.”
Collecting the award on behalf of the firm were Marissa Ayres, Director of Lawyer Wellbeing, and Hamish Savin, Associate Director of Lawyer Recruitment—two individuals closely involved in supporting and growing our consultant community.
Marissa Ayres reflected:
“This award reflects what can be achieved when you put lawyer wellbeing at the heart of a firm’s strategy. It shows that building a people-first culture isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business.”
Hamish Savin added:
“We’re seeing more and more lawyers choosing a career in platform law because it offers genuine freedom and long-term reward. This recognition validates the model as a serious, sustainable part of the profession.”
As the platform law model continues to grow in both popularity and legitimacy, Setfords remains focused on long-term investment in technology, wellbeing, professional development, and client experience—ensuring the model evolves to meet the needs of the next generation of lawyers and clients alike.
“We’re just getting started,” says Guy. “We want to thank The Lawyer and the judging panel for recognising the impact of the platform model—this award means a great deal to everyone at Setfords.”
Is Consultancy for Me?
If you want to find out more about becoming a consultant with us, get in touch. We are happy to conduct interviews remotely for suitable, UK-qualified candidates with five or more years’ experience. If you’re a good fit, you’ll be joining a team that was created for lawyers to do their best work.
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