Another record-breaking year in The Legal 500 UK 2020

We are proud to announce our rankings in multiple commercial and private client law areas in The Legal 500 UK 2020.

With a total of 26 of our lawyers having been recommended this year, an increase of 37% on the previous year, it is a record number of recommendations in the firm’s history.

‘Top Tier’ recommendations

Our Dispute Resolution team has retained its ‘Top Tier’ status for commercial litigation for the seventh consecutive year. This achievement follows another successful 12 months for the department, whose enviable client roster boasts UK and multi-national companies, government agencies and public sector bodies.

The team is noted for its “industry-shaping and high-profile matters, as evidenced by its recent appearances at the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.”

Qamer Ghafoor is highlighted for a “stand-out reputation in all areas of commercial dispute resolution, including professional negligence claims, banking litigation and insurance-related claims.”

Our Debt Recovery team retains its ‘Top Tier’ status, having established a reputation as a “market-leader for volume commercial (business-to-business) recoveries” acting for national household name clients.

Due to new key client acquisitions in the last 12 months, the department has significantly grown with the creation of 13 new positions and seven internal promotions. In addition, specialist industry sub-teams and team leaders have been established.

First-time recommendations

Our rapidly-expanding Insurance Litigation team is ranked in ‘Tier 2’ for defendant personal injury; an impressive achievement considering this is the first time the team has ever been recommended in The Legal 500.

Adept in all forms of defendant insurance litigation, the team represents a client base that includes government agencies, insurance companies and national self-insured corporations. Raj Sumal and Andrew Whiting are noted as “true experts in their field, with vast experience and detailed knowledge.”

Equally as impressive, is a first-time recommendation for our Contentious Trusts and Probate team. This follows a sustained period of growth for the team that has generated a significant flow of work from beneficiaries, trustees and executors.

Practice head, Lorna Trueman, is highlighted for her “vast experience of will challenges, executor removals, rectification, trust and Inheritance Act claims and trustee disputes.”

The team is also noted for specialising in professional negligence claims involving trusts and estates, as well as legacy claims and fraud issues in the charity sector.

Other key recommendations

For property litigation, Andrew Cochrane and Jo Milward are noted for their experience acting for clients in the licensed trade sector.

Our Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts and Family & Matrimonial teams both received very positive recommendations again this year.

Kirpal Bidmead is highlighted as an “outstanding children’s solicitor” who “manages expectations with a calmness that inspires absolute confidence in her.”

Claire Rudkin is recognised for tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, along with Court of Protection and elderly client matters. Kirsten Wood and William Harper, are also recommended.

Our departments and individuals not already mentioned include: David Miller (Commercial), Ian Beardmore, Bev Simms, Christine Owen and Lucy Carter (Commercial Property), Martyn Brierley and Rachel Bennett (Corporate & Finance), Sundeep Sandhu (Contentious Probate), (Employment), Angela Davis (Family & Matrimonial), Jonathan Gilbert and Kiran Ryatt (Insurance Litigation) and George Domleo (Licensing).

Key quotes from The Legal 500 UK 2020

The Legal 500’s research includes speaking with key clients and associated professionals for each of our recommended practice areas, forming the basis of the quotes published in the final directory.

Commercial litigation: “Very client-focused and its team approach leads to joined-up working at each step of a case.”

Family: “The team is strong in numbers of very senior and capable children solicitors. They work very well together as a team and clients know that each member of the team is available to assist them.”

Personal, tax, trusts and probate: “Very professional, very knowledgeable, always meet their deadlines and always stay in touch.”

Kirsten Wood: “Absolutely first class in terms of knowledge, timeliness of preparing the complex documents and advice.”

Property litigation: “Very professional and approachable personnel, who have an in-depth knowledge of specialist legal matters. Good understanding of clients’ needs and commercial considerations.”

Andrew Cochrane: “A true professional; he is a very dedicated and knowledgeable individual who always provides good sound advice. He has an extremely pleasant manner and always treats others with respect.”

Jo Milward: “Excellent service and sound advice.”

Chief Executive, Qamer Ghafoor comments on the firm’s achievement:

“It is very encouraging to see that a record number of the firm’s practice areas and lawyers have been recognised in The Legal 500 this year. This achievement could not be possible without the hard work and dedication from all of our employees.

I am very proud of all of my colleagues who have been noted for their excellent work and especially pleased for those who have been recommended for the first time.

We will continue to invest in our staff, technology and service levels to clients across the firm over the next 12 months and look forward to announcing our new Birmingham office opening soon.”