Wedlake Bell celebrates strong results in Legal 500 and Chambers UK 2027

Highlights include new practice rankings for Agriculture and Estates and Hospitality and Leisure in The Legal 500, alongside improved rankings for the firm’s Family and Senior Executives practices. In Chambers UK, the firm has secured new Band 5 rankings for both Employment: Employer and Employment: Senior Executive, while Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth has achieved a Band 4 ranking.

The firm’s Agriculture and Estates practice entered The Legal 500 rankings at Tier 3, having previously been recognised as a Firm to Watch. Both Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy and Family: Children moved up a tier, achieving Tier 4 and Tier 5 rankings respectively.

The Legal 500 also recognised the continued development of the firm’s sector expertise, with Hospitality and Leisure securing a new Tier 4 ranking. The Senior Executives practice improved from Tier 4 to Tier 3.

There was further success for individual lawyers. Caecilia Dance was recognised as a Leading Associate in Art and Cultural Property by The Legal 500, while Rebecca Christie was promoted from Leading Associate to Next Generation Partner in both Family: Children and Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy.

Chambers UK promotions and new rankings

The Chambers UK 2027 results include new Band 5 rankings for Employment: Employer and Employment: Senior Executive. Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth also achieved a Band 4 ranking.

A number of lawyers received new or improved individual rankings. Mark Tasker moved up from Band 3 to Band 2 for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 million, while Adam Lynch entered the rankings at Band 4.

In Art and Cultural Property Law, Petra Warrington advanced from Band 3 to Band 2 and Rebecca Christie moved from Up and Coming to Band 3. Elizabeth Scandrett was newly recognised as an Associate to Watch. The practice retained its Band 1 UK-wide ranking, with Tim Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo continuing to be ranked in Band 1 and Hetty Gleave in Band 2.

The Family team also achieved several individual successes. Hetty Gleave rose from Band 4 to Band 3 for Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth. Alex Davies entered the rankings at Band 5, while Natasha Kurth was promoted from Associate to Watch to Up and Coming. Jennifer Ball was newly recognised as an Associate to Watch for Family/Children Law.

Elsewhere, Sarah Elliott moved from Band 4 to Band 3 for Construction: Non-contentious, with Matthew Pexton receiving a new Up and Coming ranking. Natalie Pilagos progressed from Up and Coming to Band 6 for Construction: Contentious.

Further promotions included Tim Hayes, who moved from Band 3 to Band 2 for Immigration: Personal; James Latham, who rose from Band 3 to Band 2 for Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency; and Justin McGilloway, who entered the Pensions rankings at Band 6.

These results build on the firm’s established strength across both directories. In Chambers UK, Wedlake Bell retained Band 1 rankings for Art and Cultural Property Law, Restructuring/Insolvency: Personal Insolvency and Intellectual Property: Law Firms with Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys. It also maintained its Band 2 ranking for Real Estate: £50–150 million and Band 3 rankings for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 million and Restructuring/Insolvency: Litigation.

Meet the team:

1. 

   • Martin Arnold

   • Managing Partner
   • Litigation

   Visit Martin's profile