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
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