Chambers and Partners UK 2022 rankings announced

New achievements in the Chambers UK rankings

The culmination of a year of exceptional hard work, including winning an award for Deal of the Year, sees the firm’s Corporate & Finance department ranked for the first time for the ‘Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-managed Businesses – East Midlands’ category. Described as being “among the best in the local market”, this ranking reflects the team’s expert technical legal ability, rigorous attention to detail and excellent client service.

Partner and Head of Corporate & Finance, Martyn Brierley, retains his status as a notable practitioner for the second successive year and received high praise from clients who described him as being: “excellent – friendly and clear with instruction” and “great to work with, he understands our business in depth and knows our priorities and concerns“.

The firm’s Employment department has also achieved a first-time ranking with Chambers UK this year, demonstrating strong support at all levels, excellent standards of professional conduct and an in-depth knowledge of the practice area and jurisdiction.

An interviewee asked during the research described the team as “an extremely professional, reliable and hard-working team who go above and beyond for their clients”.

Other key recommendations

Maintaining its ranking for Licensing in the highly competitive Regions category, Flint Bishop continues to provide specialist advice on pub licensing issues and has been particularly noted for helping Star Pubs & Bars keep the premises licence for one of its pubs that had been trading in breach of COVID-19 regulations.

Chairman and Head of Licensing, Andrew Cochrane, retains his recognition as a notable practitioner and is described as being “experienced in advising on matters concerning cumulative impact areas and is adept at acting for clients from the hospitality sector, including pub and hotel chains”.

Consistently ranked in the guide, Flint Bishop’s Litigation team is described as being well-known for assisting government agencies, public sector bodies and multi-national corporations with a variety of contentious matters and for being well-versed in methods of alternative dispute resolution.

Commenting on the team, one client reports: “The firm excels at providing good service at very competitive rates – the lawyers understand our business and are able to give sound commercial advice to protect our best interests.”

Head of department, Nick Wells, who recently helped deliver a successful High Court result in a significant corporate transaction dispute, has been recognised with a much-deserved ranking.

Having recently helped deliver successful High Court and Court of Appeal results on significant corporate transaction disputes, Nick has been described as “an excellent litigator who is incredibly thorough and hard-working” and “extremely knowledgeable, understated and able to provide concise advice when dealing with complex matters.”

Chief Executive, Qamer Ghafoor, continues to be recognised as a leading practitioner for, being described as an experienced litigator who “really cares – success for his clients is everything.”

The Family & Matrimonial department also maintained its Band 1 ranking in Derby and surrounds.

Qamer Ghafoor comments:

“I would like to congratulate all the teams and individuals who have been recommend in the Chambers UK Guide this year. The comments from our clients are especially encouraging.

“We are only as good as the quality of individuals we work alongside and without their constant hard work and commitment, this recognition by leading directories would not be possible.

“Everyone at Flint Bishop has put in a tremendous effort over the past 12 months and it is fantastic to see those achievements continue to be recognised.”