Stewarts has once again achieved outstanding results in the new edition of The Legal 500 UK solicitors’ guide. Thirteen of our practice areas have been ranked once again, and a record 46 of our lawyers have scored individual rankings.

Our Divorce and Family teams in both London and Leeds have maintained their top-tier rankings in the 2023 edition, and are highlighted for a “great spread of individuals all of whom are excellent. They have set the benchmark for quality in the family law arena.” Sources said: “Their partners are the leading lights of the field… their senior associates and associates are uniformly superb, which is unsurprising as they have been trained by the best.” The Leeds team are credited with “bringing magic circle skills to the North” and “represent fantastic value for money”.

Promoted to Tier 1 this year, the Trust and Probate Litigation team has completed its consistent rise up the Legal 500 rankings. Interviewees highlighted the “very high quality” of the team “which comprises several of the leading lawyers in this field, ensuring that it is engaged in many of the high-profile cases in this area.”  The guide singles out the department’s high-quality work with an international dimension.

Described as “unique in the sector”, the Personal Injury team’s “long-standing position in Tier 1 is wholly merited” according to one of the Legal 500’s interviewees. “If I am ever asked for a recommendation for a catastrophic injury firm for a claimant, Stewarts is always top of the list,” another said. “The firm has such a standout reputation in the market that they are treated with particular respect by defendant firms and insurers.”

The Clinical Negligence team is credited with “extraordinary strength-in-depth, they only take on cases of maximum severity and leave no stone unturned in maximising the strength of a case.” Among the department’s range of expertise, the guide notes an uptick in sports injury and mental health deterioration cases.

Both the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence teams are also in the top tier for claimant work in Leeds. “Without doubt a market leader for serious injury litigation in Yorkshire,” Stewarts is credited with “regularly [achieving] very high settlements for their clients while still managing to put the client at the centre of what they do.”

Top-ranked together in the ‘Travel’ category, the International Injury and Aviation teams are likewise acknowledged as having “an unrivalled knowledge of the law in this area. Stewarts are the best firm acting for claimants in this field.” A source said: “This well-oiled and efficient team have been involved in nearly all of the significant case law in recent years and have a well-deserved reputation for being at the head of the field.”

Both our London and Leeds Commercial Litigation teams are again ranked, with the London team also once more ranked specifically for banking litigation work. Acknowledging the firm’s “broad practice acting for both claimants and defendants”, the Legal 500 quotes a source who says that “Stewarts are the number one litigation firm for claims against banks and other financial institutions.” In Leeds the department is “able to handle top-level commercial litigation, often against Magic Circle London firms, and attracts high quality domestic and international commercial work”.

The “exceptionally talented and well-organised” Fraud team provides “excellent advice and strategic judgment from the partners and engaged and hard-working associates.” A source notes: “They tend to work with a lean team, which makes them good value for clients, and results in a very hard working bunch of people.”

Our Competition team has also maintained its strong ranking. “Stewarts are a market leader in competition damages, they have a deep understanding of how to bring a case in the UK and the EU,” the guide says. “They invest heavily in identifying cases and working with experts early on to identify whether they are viable.”

The Tax Litigation and Resolution team’s “key strengths” are their “extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of tax litigation, which enables them to give insightful, pragmatic and exceptional strategic advice in addition to first class technical tax advice,” according to a source. The Tax team is also once again ranked in the Professional Negligence category.

Ranked in the Senior Executives category, the Employment team’s “core strengths include unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing disputes in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.” An interviewee described their experience with the team: “They bring a precise understanding of your objectives, the professional context that you’re facing, and the relevant case law and regulations relevant to you.”

The “conflict-free status” of the International Arbitration team is acknowledged along with its recent headcount growth. “Stewarts is a truly client-focused outfit, which sets it apart from larger firms elsewhere,” according to one testimonial. “The calibre and experience of the group is second to none, and this is reflected from senior partners to associates, who are impressive right down to juniors.” Partner Alejandro Garcia is also ranked for Public International Law.

Our Financial Crime team earns rankings in both the Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime and White Collar Crime sections: “They offer an excellent service and one which puts partner time at the forefront even though their associates are also excellent.” Stewarts’ in-house cross-department expertise is highlighted here.

The newly established Policyholder Disputes team is also acknowledged in the guide, with Stewarts designated as a ‘firm to watch’ in this area.

Stewarts’ full rankings in The Legal 500 can be found here.

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