Chambers and Partners - UK 2021 edition

We are pleased to announce that our Litigation, Licensing, Family & Matrimonial and Wills, Probate, Tax & Trust departments have all been ranked in this year’s Chambers and Partners UK directories.

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners has been delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers, which now covers over 200 jurisdictions.

Leading firm for private wealth law

A significant highlight in this year’s rankings sees the firm retain its Band 1 status in Derby and the surrounding areas for Private Wealth Law in the High Net Worth guide. Flint Bishop is the only law firm to be ranked for private wealth law in this region and has been described as having a “well-developed practice, focused on delivering clients specialist advice on tax planning, wealth structuring and wills and probate”.

Another local source comments: “My overall impression of the firm is of the highest credit. They are very professional and welcoming and employ people who know their fields of law.” The source adds that “I can’t think of anything else they could do to improve their services”.

Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts practice head, Claire Rudkin, has once again retained her Band 1 ‘Leading Individual’ status for Private Wealth Law along with senior associate, Kirsten Wood being recognised as an ‘associate to watch’.

“It was a great relief to find someone like Kirsten at Flint Bishop that you could talk to. She made sure I understood what was going on and any questions we had, she answered fully and promptly by email”, enthuses an impressed client, who adds: “Nothing was too much trouble; she is easy to talk to and I felt comfortable with her”.

Other ranking highlights

Head of Corporate & Finance, Martyn Brierley, has received a first-time recommendation as a notable practitioner, recognised for his strengths across a wide range of transactions, representing clients of all sizes in M&A, disposals and joint ventures.

Once source described Martyn as “Proactive, commercial and efficient”, whilst another added: “He takes the time to understand the requirements and provides a quality service, delivered in a manner that is easy to understand.”

The firm’s Dispute Resolution department has been recognised amongst national firms for its complex litigation in the Midlands region, with sources describing the department as “proactive, efficient and client-focused”, adding that “they instil confidence and go above and beyond to ensure the client is provided with an excellent service”.

Chief Executive, Qamer Ghafoor, is regarded by sources as a “commercial and savvy” lawyer who is “very driven and absolutely committed to his clients”.

Well-known for its specialism in pub licensing issues, Flint Bishop continues to be recommended for its licensing work within The Regions. Sources state: “They are absolutely fantastic for licensing for pubs. They’re incredibly responsive, really flexible and provide good-quality advice.”

A client adds: “Everyone at Flint Bishop is extremely personable. They offer impeccable support and we enjoy excellent service from the whole team.”

Chairman, Senior Partner and Head of Licensing, Andrew Cochrane, also received high praise, as one source comments: “He provides great practical advice and is very commercially aware. He will adapt his advice to our business and he’s very practical and solution-focused.”

The Family & Matrimonial department has again been recognised within Derby and the surrounding areas and is noted for its “experience advising on cases with high-value assets, often relating to family businesses, pensions and trusts”.

Highly regarded practice head, Kirpal Bidmead, is described as having “an all-encompassing family law practice. She advises clients on financial remedy proceedings and divorce settlements, often involving pensions and trusts. She is also well versed in childcare arrangements”.

Qamer Ghafoor comments

“This year’s Chambers and Partners rankings, coupled with such positive comments from our client base, are representative of all the hard work our commercial and private client teams achieve on a daily basis.

“I am also pleased for all my colleagues who have been recommended as leading individuals and recognised practitioners. This provides reassurance to our clients that they are dealing with industry-leading professionals who are both experienced and passionate about the work they do.”