Nearly 1,200 law firms have secured a place in the new Legal 500 UK rankings, which were revealed yesterday (1 October) after months of research into legal markets across the country.
The rankings are based on extensive legal market research across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, drawing on detailed submissions from law firms, thousands of firm interviews, and record levels of feedback from referees, with more than 180,000 referees contacted.
Response rates for London referees saw a double-digit increase this year, with rising by almost 12% to a new record high of more than 31,000.
The UK guide includes around 10,000 practice rankings, almost 50% of which are in the London. The rankings feature almost 1,200 unique firms, with almost 700 of those ranked in the London guide.
New additions this year include an energy and projects ranking for Wales, with Eversheds Sutherland recognised as the top-tier firm in that market, while the London private client chapter expanded this year, with new rankings for family: children and family: divorce and financial remedy seeing Charles Russell Speechlys, Farrer & Co and Payne Hicks Beach all securing top-tier spots in both.
As well as the practice rankings, over 13,000 lawyers achieved individual rankings, including almost 2,000 members of the prestigious of Hall of Fame.
Once again, Pinsent Masons has the most practice rankings across the UK, while CMS and the newly merged Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer are tied for the top spot in London.
Eversheds Sutherland, DLA Piper, Addleshaw Goddard, and CMS round out the top five nationally, while in London, CMS and HSFK are followed up by DLA Piper, Pinsent Masons, Norton Rose Fulbright, Clifford Chance and Eversheds Sutherland.
Pinsent Masons also secured the highest number of top-tier rankings across the UK, while Clifford Chance has maintained its position as the firm with the most tier one rankings in London.
For questions about the new rankings or to request changes, please visit legal500.com/faqs.
