Stewarts has once again achieved outstanding results in the latest edition of the Chambers UK guide to the best law firms, with 16 department and a record 60 individual rankings.

Our Divorce and Family department is top ranked once more, this year included in the new ‘Ultra High Net Worth’ category. An unprecedented 16 lawyers are ranked by Chambers, including a Star Individual, Senior Statesperson and now four partners in Band 1 including Head of Department Stephen Foster. The guide says the team are “second to none for family law” and “provide clients with quality advice.” Practitioners at other firms say that “when [Stewarts] are on the other side, I’m always relieved because they are effective and go the extra mile for their clients.” Three listed individuals are in the Leeds team, which is also ranked for the 11th year running.

Top ranked again in London and Leeds, our Personal Injury teams “are simply exceptional” according to Chambers’ interviewees. “The team houses some of best talent in this field… they are brave in running difficult cases and always determined in their litigation approach.” Chambers’ review says Stewarts is “notable for its strength in depth as well as its ability to secure top settlements and innovative rehabilitation solutions for its clients.” Between the two offices, 13 individuals are ranked.

Our Aviation team is also Band 1: Stewarts is the only the firm top-ranked in the Claimants section and has half of all of the ranked lawyers in the UK. “It is abundantly clear that it is a well-oiled machine at work,” sources say. “[They] are very responsive and the level of service is very high.” Chambers’ editorial concurs that “Stewarts is widely regarded as the go-to firm for claimants in aviation litigation.”

Ranked top in the UK for ‘Travel: International Personal Injury,’ our “exceptional claimant-side” International Injury department “are fantastic and are clearly leaders at what they do; all of [the] partners are excellent, very focused and don’t leave a stone unturned.” One interviewee highlighted that “they have a very open, honest and hands-on approach and are all considered and compassionate.”

Our Clinical Negligence teams in London and Leeds are listed once again this year. “The team is absolutely top-notch in its legal knowledge as well as being empathetic and caring,” said a source of London; one reported that the Leeds team “have shown an admirable grasp of the medical as well as the legal issues in their client’s cases.”

Ranked again for Commercial and Corporate Litigation, our “very efficient and focused” Commercial Litigation team demonstrate “clear attention to detail and excellent, relevant commercial and advocacy experience.” Chambers says Stewarts “has a sizeable presence in contentious corporate matters and the ability to handle disputes with big-ticket values.” The Leeds team is Band 1 in Yorkshire once more; a client reported that “the team very rapidly got across a complex back-story and commercial context to become trusted counsel on both the legal specifics and the broader strategic approach.”

The team is also listed for Banking Litigation and a new category, Group Litigation (Claimant). “Focusing solely on litigation is a major advantage – there is so much knowledge and expertise there as a result,” a Chambers source acknowledged.

Our Competition Litigation team “have a laser focus on getting the right result for their clients. They are tackling complex cases at a very detailed level.” Head of Competition Litigation Kate Pollock has now risen to Band 1 of the individual rankings. An interviewee also noted that the “Stewarts team is diverse and inclusive… it takes these issues very seriously.”

Awarded a UK-wide ranking, our Fraud department “has outstanding knowledge of the law, is skilled at strategy and good at negotiation.” One source reported they had “the undivided attention of the team from the most junior to most senior members.”

Ranked again for contentious work, the Tax Litigation and Resolution team “are very experienced and excellent at handling complex and sophisticated tax litigation,” providing  “strong, practical, innovative advice.”

Our International Arbitration team has also maintained its ranking. “Stewarts is a professional firm that pays attention to the details and is comprised of experts from different backgrounds,” according to the guide. “The firm demonstrates particular prowess in Africa-related disputes, and offers specialist experience in the energy and telecoms sectors.”

Joseph Lappin, Head of Employment, has for the first time received an individual ranking as an ‘Up and Coming’ partner. Sources say he “is an absolute up-and-coming rock star… he is passionate about employment law and has built a great practice.”

The firm’s full rankings can be found here.

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