Offshore legal and fiduciary services provider Appleby has been named a finalist for three categories in this year’s Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Private Clients Awards, the firm announced yesterday.

Appleby has been shortlisted for the ‘International Law Firm of the Year’, ‘Contentious Trust and Estates Team of the Year’ and ‘Trust Company of the Year’ categories.

Appleby’s stated that the STEP Private Client Awards, which have been awarded for nine years, “highlight excellence among private client solicitors/attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers, and financial advisers”.

They said: “This year saw the highest number of entries yet, according to STEP.”

Carlos de Serpa Pimentel, partner and group head of private clients and trusts said: “We are honoured that STEP continues to recognise the quality of our work.

“This year marks the first time we have been recognised by STEP specifically for our contentious trust and estates work. This trio of shortlistings demonstrates our strength in depth and reinforces our position as a leading provider of private client and trust legal advice.”

And Farah Ballands, partner and group head of fiduciary and administration services, said: “Being shortlisted for these three prestigious awards is a testament to the innovation, expertise and commitment of our trust teams worldwide.”

STEP is a worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. They have more than 19,000 members across 80 jurisdictions from a broad range of professional backgrounds.

The winners will of the 2014/15 Private Clients Awards be announced at an awards ceremony held on 17 September 2014 at the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel, in the United Kingdom.