The Legal 500 is an independent guide to UK solicitors. Firm and department rankings and recommendations are based on various criteria and focus on the strength of the team and the consistency of quality of individuals within a team. Client feedback and interviews form an intrinsic part of the comprehensive research process.
Editorial quotes in the recently issued 2022 edition include:
“PHB is currently the pre-eminent high value financial remedy team in London, and is trusted with most of the highest profile disputes. It has a wealth of talent at every level and provides a Rolls Royce service. Baroness Shackleton is truly peerless. Her reputation and achievements are second to none, and her involvement in a case means that the client can be confident that they have the very best practitioner in the field running the team. “
“Arguably the strongest family law firm in the country, the lawyers are involved in the biggest cases and attract the highest level clients. Extraordinary strength in depth.”
“A first rate team with excellent lawyers at every level for every type of case. One of the country’s leading firms specialising in family law. The cases are perfectly prepared with every attention to detail. Clients receive a Rolls Royce service. There are many stand out individuals in this team.”
“‘The contentious trust and probate team is at the core of the firm’s unparalleled one-stop shop for UHNWIs. It is well known for its personalised and discreet approach. The lawyers are understated but outperform. They are not only seasoned litigators, but they really “get” the trust and private client angle. They are becoming well known for their appetite to push to modernise their offering, and move beyond the firm’s traditional roots.”
“The firm has an outstanding reputation in this field and appears in many of the big high-profile cases. Its private client team are real experts in trusts and tax and the contentious team deals with the most heavyweight cases with real experience and expertise, dovetailing brilliantly with its family department which is of course very high profile.”
“Strength in depth and a detailed, comprehensive knowledge across the disciplines surrounding the Landed Estate sector including Tax, Estate and succession planning, agricultural and property law and the interconnections between them all. Where a number of firms have the individual skills, PHB possesses the ability to cut across the areas of knowledge and to think and work in 3D.”
“Rolls-Royce, gold-standard, all the cliches fit exactly. No estate is too problematic, no tax issue too complex. A wealth of ability and expertise combined with a – now – old-fashioned dedication to client service. “
“The best team for advising parents on school disputes, particularly those involving the private sector.”
“Professionalism, high expert level, collaboration.”
“Excellent on strategy, particularly on unusual cases.”
“Simply one of the smartest private client firms there is, as discreetly understated as one would expect, but with experience and efficiency second to none.”
“Highly responsive / top of their game / all aspects works well.”
“The PHB team is able to advise and manage the full spectrum of the ultra high net worth’s private client legal requirements. Its approachability and relationship building is its USP. The team actively engages in the client relationships and looks holistically at the client’s wider interests in delivering advice which covers cross-generational planning.”
“As a client you very much feel the personal touch is given by the team, which is deeply appreciated during these challenging times. The lawyers have a deep knowledge within the area they work and can often think outside the box when offering guidance on key matters. The team is highly professional and is able to assist on many different workstreams at any one time, always giving relevant and helpful advice.”
“Payne Hicks Beach has a very strong team that is very experienced in assisting high-profile individuals with media disputes. One of the top firms in this area, which delivers excellent results for an impressive client list.”
“Excellent team with high quality and experienced reputation management litigators.”
“The team we work with at the practice is always on hand to help with sound advice. The invoices we receive are always very detailed, with considerations given to longstanding clients. They make us feel very well looked after.”
“The firm are that rare commodity – wonderful service, immense all-around capability but with a style and courtesy that seems increasingly rare in these times.”
“As a smaller firm, PHB’s teams tend to be close-knit, with individuals working very collaboratively across different teams.”
“They have transformed themselves in recent years from a typically private client practice to a more focused, commercial operation.”
“They are a great firm and a pleasure to work with.”
“A highly impressive firm, with a good client base and a wide range of expertise.”
“The individuals are very professional, trustworthy, punctual and detailed with their feedback to you. Its working practice is always available and allows you to connect at any interval throughout the year. Its support is felt as an extension to your internal team and is gratefully received when matters require its input”
“I recommend them for the fact that I feel comfortable that nothing will be overlooked or missed to regret later, and that I will be informed in full what I am getting.”
“Their key strength lies in their creative approach to cases. The team gives the impression of enjoying the legal and strategic challenges posed by the most difficult cases, and are constantly looking for innovative ways to advance their clients’ position in litigation.”
“Well-resourced and knowledgeable department providing clear, practical advice.”
“An impressive medium-sized firm with a strong property and private client and litigation practice.”
“I have been with Payne Hicks Beach for many years and without doubt they have always delivered a superb service.” “Very, very efficient in all areas.”
“Payne Hicks Beach is a very strong team which is very experienced in assisting high profile individuals with media disputes. One of the top firms in this area, which delivers excellent results for an impressive client list. “
“Each individual with whom we deal demonstrates a very significant care in the tasks that are undertaken and are clearly always at the top in terms of their knowledge and response.”
To read the profile for Payne Hicks Beach click here
Payne Hicks Beach’s UK practice rankings can be found below:
Tier 1
Private client: Contentious trusts & probate
Leading Firm
Corporate: M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m
Corporate: Partnership
Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation: mid-market
Employment: Senior executives
Employment: Immigration: business
Employment: Immigration: Human rights, appeals and overstay
Private Client: Agriculture and estates
Private Client: Art and cultural property
Private Client: Personal tax, trusts and probate
Public Sector: Education: individuals
Real Estate: Commercial property – corporate occupiers
Real Estate: Commercial property – development
Real Estate: Commercial property – investment
Real Estate: Property litigation
Real Estate: Residential property
TMT: Sport
