Ranking success for Muckle in Chambers & Partners 2025 guide to the UK's best law firms
Independent legal directory Chambers & Partners has released its 2025 guide, and we’re delighted to be ranked in 10 practice areas. We've also seen new and improved rankings for our lawyers.
Agriculture and rural affairs
The team maintained its Band 2 ranking and saw department head David Towns move up a rank to Band 2. Partner Charlotte Patterson-Ryan maintained her Up and Coming ranking.
Banking and finance
The team, led by Louise Duffy, has maintained its Band 1 ranking once again. Louise (Band 1) and Associate Zoe Ditch (Associate to watch) were noted for their work in this area.
Insolvency
Laura Keegan maintained her Associate to Watch ranking, and Sarah Farish was also ranked for the first time as an Associate to Watch, hot on the heels of being ranked by Legal 500 as a Leading Associate.
Construction
Our Construction team, led by Adam Aston, maintained its Band 3 ranking. Lucilla (Band 3) and Partner Adam Aston (Band 4) were both recognised as notable practitioners.
Corporate/M&A
With 5 ranked lawyers and a Band 1 ranking for the team overall, our Corporate team were noted as being known for its significant experience in shareholder and M&A matters.
Senior Partner, Hugh Welch maintained his Eminent Practitioner ranking. Team head, Anthony Evans (Band 2), Partners Philip Clare (Band 1) and Adam Rayner (Band 3) were all recognised for their work in their field.
Employment
Head of Employment, Chris Maddock maintained his Band 1 ranking, and the team overall were ranked in Band 2 for their work. Lisa Kelly was ranked in Band 3. Amy Sergison was ranked in the Up and Coming category.
IT
The team maintained its Band 2 ranking. Team head Alex Craig was ranked in Band 2.
Intellectual Property
Led by Alex Craig (Band 2), the team maintained its Band 2 ranking.
Alex is noted for her non-contentious IP practice and George Festing (Band 2) is recognised for his experience litigating music and digital media copyright infringement cases, and is also recommended for trade mark, designs and patent disputes.
Litigation
Ranked in Band 2, the team regularly handles contractual and shareholder disputes among a broad array of other contentious issues. It acts for both regional and international clients from an array of industries including manufacturing, construction, financial services and IT.
Notable practitioners in the team include team head Susan Howe (Band 2), and partners Leah Heatley (Band 2) and George Festing (Band 2).
Real Estate
Our Real Estate team has maintained its Band 1 ranking.
Team Head Jonathan Combe maintains his Band 1 ranking, with partners James Armstrong (Band 2), Gail Bennett (Band 3) and Will McKay (Band 3) and Deborah Lazenby (Band 4) are all notable practitioners.
Social housing
Team head, Charlotte McMurchie maintained her Band 2 ranking, leading a team advising on a variety of property matters, including developments, housing management issues and transactional work. The team as a whole maintained its Band 3 ranking for its work across North East & Yorkshire.
For more information about how our leading team can support your business, call today on 0191 211 7777 or email [email protected].