Eligibility and judging criteria for the Client Choice Awards

The Client Choice Awards are not based upon your technical expertise so much as the satisfaction of your clients. 

Judging metrics: 

1. A weighted average of our service attributes (assuming there are at least 30 reviews - an eligibility hurdle); and, if scores are equal
2. Number of reviews; and, if review numbers are equal
3. Text analysis of verbatim comments of your clients, which takes into account depth and sentiment of reviews. 

Eligibility requirements for major (whole profession) categories

A firm must clear ALL the following eligibility requirements to be considered for the major categories in the Client Choice Awards. 

1. A subscription to FirmChecker Premium for at least 3 months of the preceding 12 month period survey period, which spans 5 February - 4 February the following year. This 3 month subscription minimum INCLUDES the 30 day trial period. 
   
   • Example: 
     • User X signs up on or after 5 November 2019. They would not be eligible for the 2020 Client Choice Awards. However, if they had an active subscription for 3 months between 5 February 2020 and 4 February 2021, they would clear the subscription hurdle for the next year's awards. 
     • User Y signs up for a free trial on or before 4 November 2019. They would clear the subscription hurdle for the 2020 Client Choice Awards, assuming they maintain their Premium account status until 4 February 2020. 
       
       
2. At least 30 reviews in the preceding 12 month period from 5 February in year A to 4 February in year B inclusive. 
   
   • Example: 
     • User X has been a FirmChecker users since late 2018 and their profile has 100 reviews. However, only 22 of these reviews were collected between 5 February 2019 and 4 February 2020. They would not be eligible. 
     • User Y signs up to FirmChecker on 23 August 2019. They collect 36 reviews prior to 4 February 2020. They would be eligible.

Eligibility requirements for specialist (practice areas specialisation) categories

Sample size eligibility rules for the specialist categories in the Client Choice Awards depends upon the competitiveness of the sub-category.

In the event that:

1. Zero firms receive at least 30 reviews for a specialist sub-category, or
2. The weighted average score of a singular firm that meets the sample-size requirements for a specialist sub-category is below 7.0,

sample size requirements will be reduced by units of 5 until a competitive category of at least two firms is possible.

Examples:

• 1. Firm X receives over 30 reviews for a specialist sub-category, but has a weighted average score of 6.9. Firm X is not eligible for an Award. 
• 2. No firms receive over 30 reviews for a specialist category. However, three firms receive over 20 reviews: Firm A with 22, Firm B with 25 and Firm C with 28 reviews respectively. Firms B and C will be eligible, clearing the reduced hurdle of 25 reviews. Firm A will not be eligible. 
• 3. No firms receive over 30 reviews for a specialist category. However, three firms receive over 20 reviews: Firm A with 22, Firm B with 24 and Firm C with 28 reviews respectively. Firms A, B and C will be eligible at the reduced hurdle of 20 reviews. 

In the event that no firms exceed 10 verified reviews, the category will not be Awarded. 

If you have further questions about eligibility, please contact our support team at support@firmchecker.com