The President of Cardiff and District Law Society invites you to join us for our 2026 Annual Dinner, an unmissable opportunity to catch up with peers, colleagues, friends and clients, and to celebrate our annual award winners.

Our President, Emma Waddingham, is delighted to announce that this year’s Cardiff & District Law Society Annual Dinner will be hosted at the Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff, on Friday 6 November 2026, where we will be joined by our guest speaker – Barrister turned broadcaster & Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author: Rob Rinder MBE.

In support of LawCare & Marie Curie

This year’s charities of the year are LawCare – the mental health and wellbeing charity for the legal sector  – and Marie Curie. £10 from each individual ticket sale will be donated to the charities and we will host our ‘Cardiff Big Night Out’ raffle to raise additional funds on the night for this incredible charities.

Our President for 2025 – 2026, Emma Waddingham (Legal News Wales), invites our members, those working in and with legal brands in and around Cardiff, affiliated industries and law students to join us for a night filled with entertainment, and to celebrate our successful, sustainable, innovative and internationally regarded law society members and local legal community.

Join us for a fantastic evening of socialising, a three-course gourmet dinner, with a special guest speaker, entertainment and the announcement of our annual award winners, followed by our free After Party in the Aura bar. 

Guest speaker

We are delighted to announce our guest speaker is Rob Rinder MBE. Rob is well known to many and we are honoured to welcome him to our annual dinner. Rob is a Barrister turned broadcaster and Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author.

Rob will join us for the evening and present our three awards – including our Simon Mumford Memorial Award – for 2026.

Special guests

The evening will also include some special guest performances and appearances – to be announced on the night!

Event Partners

This year’s Annual Dinner Headline Partner is Irwin Mitchell.

The 2026 Silver Partners are:HCB Widdows Mason, TSR Legal Recruitment, 30 Park Place and Menzies LLP

Tickets

An early bird discounted rate for CDLS members is now only available for table bookings (table of 10).

Ticket prices and booking form can be found below.

Booking is now open.

CDLS members can use our discounted member rate when booking individual tickets and tables. If you are unsure of your member status, please email admin@cardifflaw.org.

• Individual Tickets: £130 pp
• Table of 10 (CDLS Members Rate Only): £1200
• Table of 10 (Non Members): £1300

Tickets include a Welcome Drinks Reception, a three-course evening meal, entertainment and access to the After Party.

To book, please click here. An invoice for payment will be sent to you upon completing the form.

Please note: Your ticket(s) cannot be confirmed until full payment is made.

*From the 1 September 2026, all ticket prices will be £130pp or £1300 for a table of 10.

Timings

• 6:30pm: Drinks Reception
• Full agenda TBA

Dress Code

Black Tie, Ball Gowns or Cocktail Dresses.

Drinks Pre-Orders

A drinks pre-order form will be sent to you / your table’s lead contact once we have received payment for your booking. Pre-orders need to be dealt directly with the venue. Details will be provided.

Dietary Requirements

Please send us your guests’ dietary requirements to admin@cardifflaw.org no later than Friday 17 October 2026 to ensure the venue can accommodate your needs.

CDLS Simon Mumford Award 2026

The winner of our Simon Mumford Memorial Award 2026 will be announced at the dinner. This is a judges’ choice award, to recognise an individual for their contribution to the Cardiff and wider legal profession.

Enquiries

Any Annual Dinner enquiries should be sent to our Administrator via email, at: admin@cardifflaw.org.