The Legal 500 remains one of the world's top legal directories. Available in over 100 countries, the Legal 500 has been used by commercial and private clients, as well as professional advisers and in-house counsel, for over 20 years.

Legal Thoroughbreds: Leaders in their field

The Legal 500 remains one of the world’s top legal directories. Available in over 100 countries, the Legal 500 has been used by commercial and private clients, as well as professional advisers and in-house counsel, for over 20 years. The Legal 500 takes entries to its directories on recommendation: you cannot buy your way onto its pages.

We bring you some of the Cotswold law firms appearing in the 2012 edition of the Legal 500 who have succeeded in proving their expertise in key sectors of commercial business. Whilst not all high flying legal eagles in the Cotswolds appear in the following list, a comprehensive listing can be viewed online at www.legal500.com

Anyone seeking professional legal advice is advised to visit the website or that of other legal directories, such as Chambers: www.chambersandpartners.com

Cotswolds-based firms are once again a main feature in the 2012 edition of Legal 500, with City-generated work continuing to flow into the region with the promise of high-quality legal advice with more focus on value. However the area has not escaped the lasting effects of the recession, with many firms anticipating a long-term delay in any significant economic growth Conversely, niche legal practices are still growing in the Oxford area while firms with widespread regional coverage continue to sustain their development.

The Legal 500 observes that a number of sectors in the area have seen significant changes; predictably, agriculture and estate work has seen a move away from landed estates towards large-scale food production matters. Another sign of the economic times has seen increased levels of activity in corporate and property-related contentious insolvency, as well as litigation.

Blake Lapthorn

Acted for concert promoter Live Nation in its application for planning permission at three large sites in London to cater to 80,000 spectators during the Olympic Games. Also represents developers such as Berkeley and Bloor Homes.

BPE Solicitors

BPE advised the Mears Group on its acquisition of Choices Community Care Services. Other deals include ROK and Connaught. The top-tier employment team’s clients include Omega Resource Group whilst its commercial property team acted for Cult on acquiring the lease for its flagship Superdry store in Regent Street.

Charles Russell

Respected for the excellent corporate abilities in its Cheltenham office. Acting for Trifast on its acquisition of Power Steel Malaysia, the business continues to prove its corporate worth, with other clients including JP Morgan Cazenove and Zurich.

CLYDE & Co

A national merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP created an insurance powerhouse through it’s Oxford and Guildford offices.

Darbys

Assisted Cherwell District Counil in its complex redevelopment of Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire, which included an overhaul of the town’s air base.

Maitland Walker

Its commercial litigation team is acting for Earthshine in its ongoing claim against HMRC. Its licensing team acts on niche EU and competition matters. Maitland Walker recently advised the operator of a food distribution network on a merger with another national operator. It also acts for local Cheltenham Racecourse and Town & Country Inns.

Manches

Manches assisted Oxford University Press in its acquisition of MyMaths. It also advised Williams F1 on its €250m listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Its commercial team advised Imperial College spin-out Nexeon on various commercial matters relating to its silicon technology development. Its commercial clients base includes Jimmy Choo and the Natural Environment Research Council.

Morgan Cole

Continuing to act for NHS clients on IP matters, Morgan Cole has added a number of housing associations and health-sector clients to its employment database. Clients include NHS Direct, InHealth, Advance Housing & Support and GreenSquare Housing Group.

Rickerbys

The firm advises clients including Vero Software and Badhams Pharmacy. Its banking clients include Lloyds TSB and Landesbank Baden Württemberg whilst its employment team has acted for Prima Dental Group. Its commercial property team recently advised on the sale of Pudleston Court in Herefordshire.

Willans

Willans acts for a number of charities including the Higher Education Statistics Agency, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Association of Art Historians. Its commercial property team advised Weird Fish on various retail leases during 2011, including three in designer villages.

Withy King

Withy King acted for Porchester Equity on a new business structure. Other clients include Equilibrium Wealth Management and Handelsbanken. Its commercial litigation team acted for Bath Youth Rugby regarding the distribution of and realisation of trust assets.

Blake Lapthorn

‘pragmatic and business-oriented approach to structuring deals’

BPE Solicitors LLP

‘very responsive, practical and good value for money’

Brethertons

‘very responsive, industry-appropriate advice’

Charles Russell

‘The level of commitment, commerciality and technical knowledge is extremely high’

Darbys

‘very cost-effective and efficient’

Maitland Walker

Licensing: ‘brilliant’ ‘second to none’

Manches

‘good understanding of its clients’ needs, pressures and industry dynamics’

Morgan Cole

‘excellent in every respect’

Rickerbys

‘pragmatic and proactive’

Spratt Endicott

‘excellent responses and good advice’

Willans

‘very dependable and personable’

Withy King

‘very responsive and very service-focused’

TOP FIRMS FOR HR/EMPLOYMENT

Lewis Silkin LLP

Darbys Solicitors LLP

BPE Solicitors LLP

Charles Russell LLP

Rickerbys LLP

Withy King LLP

Manches LLP

Morgan Cole

Blake Lapthorn

Maitland Walker LLP

Sherbornes Solicitors LLP

Henmans LLP

Brethertons LLP

Carter, Laydon, Millard

Employment Law Plus

Spratt Endicott

Willans LLP

TOP FIRMS FOR CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL

Blake Lapthorn

Manches LLP

Charles Russell LLP

BPE Solicitors LLP

Morgan Cole

White & Black Legal LLP

Brethertons LLP

Rickerbys LLP

Henmans LLP

Spratt Endicott

Maitland Walker LLP

Willans LLP

Darbys Solicitors LLP

Withy King LLP

TOP FIRMS FOR INSOLVENCY & CORPORATE RECOVERY

Blake Lapthorn

Darbys Solicitors LLP

Rickerbys LLP

Brethertons LLP

Morgan Cole

TOP FIRMS FOR IP

Manches LLP

Sipara

Charles Russell LLP

BPE Solicitors LLP

Blake Lapthorn

Morgan Cole

Rickerbys LLP

Willans LLP

Henmans

Northwood Reid

White and Black Legal LLP

TOP FIRMS FOR REAL ESTATE AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

BPE Solicitors LLP

Charles Russell LLP

Rickerbys LLP

Withy King LLP

Willans LLP

Blake Lapthorn

Henmans LLP

Manches LLP

Maitland Walker LLP

Morgan Cole

Brethertons LLP

Darbys Solicitors LLP

BrookStreet des Roches

Spratt Endicott

Plainlaw solicitors

Knights solicitors LLP

TOP FIRMS FOR AGRICULTURE & ESTATES

Boodle Hatfield LLP

Henmans LLP

Charles Russell LLP

Darbys Solicitors LLP

Spratt Endicott

Davies and Partners

Loxley Legal Services LLP

Brethertons LLP

TOP FIRMS FOR BANKING/FINANCE

Charles Russell LLP

Rickerbys LLP

Manches LLP