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The Chambers and Partners UK 2017 independent guide to law firms and individual lawyers was released yesterday on Wednesday 2 November, with Leathes Prior highly recommended for another year. Below is a summary of some of our highlights from the guide.

The band one Corporate and Commercial Team is described in the guide as an “excellent team handling a range of M&A, MBOs and other corporate matters, including advisory work concerning EIS investment matters. Offers increasing international capabilities and expertise in handling sales involving overseas companies.” One client was noted to have said "they're very knowledgeable and they're nice to deal with."

Sources praise Head of the Team Paul Warman for his "tact, patience and tenacity in his dealings with both his client and the other party."

The Defence & Regulatory Team also achieved a band one ranking this year, with Head of the Team Tim Cary noted as a “key contact” in the area.

The Employment Team is highlighted as “advising national clients across a wide range of employment issues, with notable experience at the Employment Tribunal. Noted also to act for a diverse spectrum of employers, including those in the sport, education and franchising sectors.” Client feedback included:

"They are a professional and customer-focused firm who are successful and a pleasure to work with."

"They are a very good firm - I highly recommend them."

Head of the Team, Dan Chapman, is described by sources as "someone who has so much knowledge and advises us in a very down-to-earth way” with Harriet Howes also listed as a notable practitioner within employment law.

Head of the Family Team, Alisdair Douglas, is ranked in the guide and described by clients as “a highly valued family lawyer with considerable experience in collaborative law and mediation”. Sources are noted to be "very impressed with him…especially with his skills as a communicator.”

The Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team, headed by Partner Mike Barlow, “remains popular with clients for advice on partnership and agricultural disputes…often acts on shareholder disputes, directors' duties claims and breach of contract claims.” The team is said to “punch above their weight" with sources outlining that “the lawyers put the clients first and give clear, pragmatic and practical advice."

Partner Darren Bowen is highlighted in the guide to “handle property and agricultural disputes and is also well versed in acting on probate matters. He has good judgement and is able to communicate well with clients. He is also able to see the overall picture and manage the litigation.”

The guide continues:

“Darren Bowen has the admiration of clients for providing sound advice that helped mitigate risk and achieve desired results. His broad practice covers all manner of landlord and tenant issues, right of way and agricultural disputes.”

The Property Disputes Team is highlighted to provide “advice on all aspects of contentious property issues, including commercial, agricultural and residential landlord and tenant, boundary and development litigation. Particularly pronounced expertise in timeshare disputes...patient and measured in assisting with a long-running matter. They respond promptly and efficiently."

Partner David Richards was highlighted as “up and coming” and noted as “an experienced litigator with recent work including advising on catastrophic injuries sustained during workplace accidents and RTAs”.

Insolvency specialist Ina Beurich was highlighted as an “Associate to watch” with know-how in “a full range of insolvency matters and a niche expertise advising clients on bankruptcy annulments”.

The Franchising Team is described as having a “long-established franchising practice providing a comprehensive service to franchisors operating across the UK and increasingly out into the EU, Russia, Australia, China and the Middle East.”

The guide highlights Jonathan Chadd as “one of the most experienced practitioners in UK franchising law. He advises significant players in retail and other industries on domestic and international matters.”

The Wills, Estates & Power of Attorney Team is described as a “dedicated private client team in the Norwich area known for acting for a number of wealthy individuals and families. Acts on the full range of legal services including trust and estate planning, wills, probate and powers of attorney. Also has strength in dealing with probate disputes, deputyship issues and Court of Protection matters.” Client feedback for the team included:

"They give sound and practical advice on a range of private client matters."

"They have some strong lawyers on their books."

This year, the 140th anniversary for the firm, brings another set of impressive results for Leathes Prior from the research carried out by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 (Legal 500 results here). Special thanks to all those involved in the research, particularly our clients that were contacted throughout the process.