Entries close on May 31 and cover 26 categories including Africa Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice and International Law Firm of the Year.

There are awards for in-house lawyers, including General Counsel of the Year and Legal Department of the Year.

Africa Legal is the media partner for the event which takes place in Johannesburg on September 6.

Scott Cowan, co-founder of the Africa Professional Services Group, of which Africa Legal is a subsidiary, said the importance of involving lawyers from across the continent was imperative.

“The ethos of Africa Legal is to create a united community of lawyers who engage across borders on common interests. It is all about building an environment of good governance and democracy – and lawyers are the cog in this wheel. An awards event of this nature recognises achievement from Egypt to South Africa and Nigeria to Kenya.”

Cowan, who is also on the Africa advisory board for Save the Children, said he was delighted the global charity would be the dedicated charity for this year’s event.

“Save the Children does not consider borders when it fulfils needs. This is an organisation that works to improve the lives of all children through education, health-care and economic well-being. It is also one of the key organisations that moves in with aid in a natural or man-made disaster. It is an excellent fit with Africa’s legal community.”

Keith Kibirango, senior philanthropy advisor and fundraiser for Save the Children in Africa, said the organisation was delighted by the support of The Africa Legal Awards and the legal community.

“As we celebrate our 100^th anniversary in this year, we know that we could not help children across Africa survive, thrive and be protected without supporters like you. We are truly gratefully and dedicated to reaching every last child and helping them towards a brighter future.”

This year’s Africa Legal Awards is hosted by Legal Week and the Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa (CCASA) and has been expanded to include more categories.

New accolades include Rising Star, Most Promising Newcomer, and Alternative Service Provider of the Year.

Clare Sutherland, the event director for Legal Week, said, “There are already many high calibre entries and this engagement is increasing as the cut-off date approaches.”

“Legal Week is excited to partner once again with the Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa for the seventh annual African Legal Awards celebrating legal excellence in Africa.”

To promote your achievements please enter via the website here

To reserve your table, book online here,  or contact Jon Radley at jradley@alm.com

For sponsorship enquiries, call James Woolf on +44 (0) 20 3875 0669 or email JWoolf@alm.com