nebusiness.co.uk - League Tables - Top Legal Firms

What is The Legal 500?

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:43:00 GMT

WELCOME to the 22nd edition of The Legal 500. First published in 1988, The Legal 500 has developed into the largest and most in-depth survey of the UK legal market; we analyse the practices of more than 1,000 law firms, and more than 220 sets of barristers’ chambers and Scottish stables.

How the Legal 500 is researched

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:46:00 GMT

THE client research undertaken for The Legal 500 has two main threads and encompasses both qualitative and quantitative analysis

Dickinson Dees still dominates regional law scene

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:00:00 GMT

THE publication of this year’s Legal 500 sees Dickinson Dees once again dominating the legal scene in the North, reinforcing our reputation for quality and service excellence.

No-nonsense specialist service

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:50:00 GMT

DESPITE challenging economic times, Sintons has continued to grow and recruit senior lawyers in key strategic areas to further strengthen and develop the services it offers to its clients.

Serving the community with teams of experts

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:41:00 GMT

BROWELL Smith & Co is a leading law firm that acts for clients both locally and nationally.

Watson Burton wins praise for client service

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:29:00 GMT

WATSON Burton once again tops the leagues across highly competitive disciplines in the newly published Legal 500.

Bright future after facing challenges head-on

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:08:00 GMT

WITH professional services to support the property market, finance and the corporate sector, it is little wonder that law firms have been unable to protect themselves completely from the worst effects of the recession.

Water firm is top at pleasing its customers

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:02:00 GMT

A RECENT independent study* of 1,000 conveyancing solicitors nationwide has thrown up some startling results about the acceptance and importance of the CON29DW – drainage and water – search and, on a regional basis, has shown that Northumbrian Water Property Solutions (NWPS) is number one for customer satisfaction.

Results in uncertain times

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:01:00 GMT

TWENTY-THREE partner, Newcastle-based, Hay & Kilner has improved its impressive ratings in the Legal 500 guide this year with recommendations in 23 different work areas.

Agriculture and estates

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:59:00 GMT

Dickinson Dees LLP retains the National Trust, Natural England and a number of landowning local authorities as clients.

Charities

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:58:00 GMT

Dickinson Dees LLP continues to provide ‘excellent service combined with very good sector knowledge’. A real strength of the practice is its experience of large merger instructions, and 2008 saw it advise Scope on its merger with Dial UK.

Banking and finance

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:57:00 GMT

Clients describe the practice at Dickinson Dees LLP as ‘extremely proficient and approachable’.

Clinical negligence - claimant

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:56:00 GMT

Hay & Kilner has settled a substantial number of cerebral palsy claims over the past 12 months, with a total value of £20m. The practice retains its solid reputation for spinal injury claims and is on the Spinal Injury Panel. Recommended partner David Bradshaw has a good reputation in the market.

Clinical negligence - defendant

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Peers value the ‘pro-active approach to settling cases’ demonstrated by Beachcroft LLP. The Newcastle office opened at the end of 2008, when the firm took several former Eversheds LLP lawyers.

Environment

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:55:00 GMT

The ‘truly excellent’ environment team at Dickinson Dees LLP has a strong track record and attracts high praise from clients. The ‘excellent’ Stuart Wardlaw heads the practice, which advises a range of industrial, commercial and public sector clients.

EU and competition

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:51:00 GMT

Dickinson Dees LLP has handled compliance programmes for Arriva (in the UK and the EU), Go-Ahead, Govia and CE Electrics.

Intellectual property and information technology

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:50:00 GMT

2008 saw Dickinson Dees LLP build on its reputation in the financial sector, advising new client M&G on the outsourcing agreement for the liftout of the company’s customer contact centre.

Personal injury - claimant

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:49:00 GMT

Browell Smith & Co remains a major player in asbestos litigation cases and notably secured one of the largest mesothelioma compensation payouts to date.

Personal injury - defendant

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:31:00 GMT

The practice at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is particularly known for occupational disease and motor instructions.

Construction

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Watson Burton LLP provides ‘very detailed and thorough advice’ and ‘value for money in a tightening market place’. Robert Langley heads the team, which acts for some of the UK’s largest housebuilders and developers.