BOUTIQUE law firm Renaissance Legal - specialists in legal advice to families and carers of disabled and vulnerable people – have been announced as finalists in the Business Charity Awards 2017 for its longstanding partnership with leading charity Mencap.

Now in their eighth year, the Business Charity Awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by UK businesses who pride themselves on educating the wider business community about the best ways to support good causes.

Brighton-based Renaissance Legal and Mencap are shortlisted in the Legal Partnership category which awards an outstanding partnership between a company in the legal sector and a UK charity.

The partnership between the two organisations has transformed access to legal advice for the families of the 1.4 million people living with learning disabilities in the UK through its Wills and Trusts Service.

Since 2013 more than 600 families have received specialist legal advice via the telephone helpline service, with more than 290 hours of free advice being delivered by the Mencap and Renaissance Legal teams.

Philip Warford, Managing Director, said: “News of our shortlisting in the Business Charity Awards is an incredible achievement.

“Being recognised for excellence in any award scheme is always a proud moment, however in this instance we are incredibly honored as we are nominated together with the exceptional team at Mencap.

“ As we enter our fifth year of working with the Mencap team to improve access to specialist legal advice for the thousands of families affected by learning disabilities in the UK, we never fail to be impressed by the exceptional work being done by the charity.

“Winning the award in May would be the icing on the cake for what is an incredibly special relationship for Renaissance Legal”.

The ceremony takes place on May 25.