Top law firms and in-house legal departments are being called on to enter the Middle East Legal Awards 2019.

Entries are now open for the prestigious awards, which are jointly hosted by Legal Week and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Middle East Chapter, and take place on 18 April at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai.

The awards feature several new categories including In-House Deal Team of the Year, which recognises the crucial role in-house lawyers play in getting the region's deals over the line, and In-House Compliance Innovator of the Year – a tribute to the growing importance of compliance in the Middle East.

This year's ceremony, which was attended by nearly 400 lawyers, saw DLA Piper (pictured), Clyde & Co, Dentons and Pinsent Masons feature among the top global firms clinching some of the 24 prizes up for grabs, with regional law practices Al Tamimi & Company and Tribonian Law Advisors also picking up awards.

The award for International Law Firm of the Year went to DLA Piper, while Al Tamimi was named Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice. Middle East and North Africa-based satellite TV broadcaster OSN took home Large Legal Department of The Year.

The judging panel will comprise senior members of the in-house legal community alongside other well-known legal figures.

Click here to view the categories, here to read the criteria and here to enter.