Each firm that successfully makes the shortlist is invited to submit a 300-word pitch. A panel of M&A veterans will review these pitches, compare them with our league table data, and debate the deserving winners.

• Your league table ranking by both value and volume for the category
• The overall deal count and total transaction value for the firm for the category
• Your pitch, which needs to tell the story behind these numbers

The judges want to know why you deserve to win. An ideal pitch will demonstrate how you added value to deal processes, supported clients, and offered creative solutions to complex situations.

You may highlight several deals, or focus on one landmark transaction. Judges look for the direct contribution your firm made to the process, especially if you were lead advisor.

• Any reference to non-Mergermarket awards and rankings
• Deals that do not meet our database criteria
• Financing or underwriting without an M&A mandate
• Legal advice offered only to financial advisors

• Mark any previously undisclosed information as "confidential"
• No presentations or pitchbooks required — just a single page
• Mid-market prize: EUR 30m to EUR 1bn
• European M&A financial and legal advisor prizes: deals over EUR 5bn
• Deal of the year: public voting only