Sheffield-based law firm Taylor Emmet has been shortlisted for five awards across Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026 and British Wills & Probate Awards 2026, recognising work across its Clinical Negligence and Private Client teams.

Among the nominations is Clinical Negligence Partner James Drydale, who has been shortlisted for ‘Partner of the Year’ at the Yorkshire Legal Awards following his work on a landmark Supreme Court case concerning the “lost years” damages for children injured by negligence. Taylor Emmet’s Clinical Negligence team is also shortlisted for Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team of the Year. 

The “lost years” case challenged the historic exclusion of children from claiming damages for earnings they would have received during the years lost as a result of a shortened life caused by negligence. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled that children whose lives are shortened by negligence should not be excluded from claiming compensation for income they would have earned during their working lives, overturning the previous legal position established by Croke v Wiseman in 1981.

James Drydale, partner in Taylor Emmet’s Clinical Negligence team, said: “Being shortlisted for Partner of the Year is a real honour, particularly in a year where our team has been involved in a case of such significance.

The Supreme Court’s decision on “lost years” damages was an important moment for children affected by life-changing negligence, and I’m incredibly proud of the work that went into achieving that result. 

To have that work recognised alongside the contribution I’ve made to the wider Clinical Negligence team makes this shortlisting particularly meaningful.”

Taylor Emmet’s Private Client teams have also been recognised across three categories at the British Wills & Probate Awards 2026: ‘Private Client Firm of the Year – Large’, ‘Contentious Wills & Probate Team of the Year – Boutique’ and ‘Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands’.

The three nominations recognise Taylor Emmet’s work across its Private Client offering, covering firm-wide private client expertise, contentious wills and probate, and probate services across the North and Midlands.

Together, the five shortlistings reflect the breadth of expertise across Taylor Emmet’s specialist teams, following a strong year of recognition for the firm.

Winners of both award programmes will be announced on 8 October 2026.