Legal 500 Leading Firm 2023

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Girlings is delighted to rank as a Leading Firm in the Legal 500 2023 for five of our practice areas. The Legal 500 is the largest independent survey of the UK legal market and is recognised as the authoritative guide to law firms in the UK. An annual publication, achieving rankings in the directory is increasingly competitive and based on research which includes client feedback as well as detailed submissions from law firms.

Andrew Watson Managing Partner at Girlings said: “I am delighted that all five departments which made submissions to the Legal 500 this year have received the ranking. It’s testament to their expertise, innovative and personalised approach – all of which has been recognised by the researchers of the Legal 500 who award the status.

“We are very proud of this achievement, reflected by the dedication of all those who work across these departments.”

Wills, Tax & Estates team

Our Wills, Tax & Estates team is ranked in the Legal 500 for the fourth year running and the Legal 500 editorial had this to say including the independently sourced client quotation below.

Girlings’ private client team is known to be a ‘friendly, professional practice with highly skilled practitioners’. Lesley Rushton, who is head of the Canterbury team, is active in work for both national and local charities. Charlotte Nock, who leads the Herne Bay team, is a key name to note for matter relating to French law, and Louise Wilson is the key contact in Ashford.

‘Girlings’ team are very dedicated to their chosen field and each person in the team gives 100% all of the time. They are always on hand to explain the issues and resolve problems as quickly as possible. They are focused on finding solutions.’

Lesley Rushton, Charlotte Nock and Louise Wilson are listed as Legal 500 Recommended Lawyers.

Corporate, Banking & Finance and Commercial Law team

Our Corporate, Banking & Finance and Commercial Law team have also achieved ranking in the directory for a third year and moves up from tier four to tier three. The Legal 500 editorial had this to say about our Corporate & Commercial team, including the independently sourced client quotation below.

Chris Brightling leads Girlings’ corporate and commercial team in Ashford. The department focuses on entrepreneurs and owner managed SMEs but is also expanding and acting for larger corporates, including AIM listed entities. It is further diversifying and developing other new areas of its practice, specifically in the social media influencer area, as well as working with brands, helping them manage and negotiate influencer relationships, celebrity product endorsements and celebrity and influencer agency relationships.

‘We have built a strong relationship with many of its legal advisers during this time and formed an ongoing friendly association with them. We appreciate their reputation and welcome their prompt and professional service. We are confident that Girlings offer the proficiency to cover all our requirements.’

Chris Brightling is listed as a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer.

Family Law

Our Family Law team have achieved ranking in the Legal 500 for the second time. The Legal 500 editorial had this to say about our Family Law team, including the independently sourced client quotation below.

Under the joint leadership of Herne Bay-based Sarah Finnis, Ashford-based Amanda Wilson, and Canterbury-based Gemma Purt, Girlings’ family law team adopts ‘a really constructive and collaborative approach when working with other legal professionals,’ which means the practice can more effectively focus on finding resolutions which are 'right for the whole family rather than just solely for one party.’

‘All members of the team offer a personable and sympathetic approach, whilst embracing modern technology for meetings, conferences and hearings and having the knowledge and experience to stridently represent their clients.’

Gemma Purt, Amanda Wilson and Curtis Wray are listed as Legal 500 Recommended Lawyers.

Employment Law

Our Employment team have achieved ranking in the Legal 500 for the first time this year. The Legal 500 editorial had this to say about our Employment Law team, including the independently sourced client quotation below.

Girlings’ Ashford employment law team acts for clients on new and complex areas of employment law including transgender rights, menopause, and cryptocurrency. Team head Carl Vincent has extensive experience in all areas of employment law and employment tribunal litigation. Paul McAleavey has notable experience of advising on the rights of transgender employees in the workplace. Senior associate solicitor David Morgan is able to draw on 10 years’ experience as a research scientist for Pfizer before training as a lawyer.

‘Girlings operates as if it were a central London employment team while charging provincial rates. They are without doubt the best value employment practice in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, regularly appearing in cases with a phalanx of City lawyers against them whilst remaining wholly unperturbed.’

Carl Vincent, Paul McAleavey and David Morgan are listed as Legal 500 Recommended Lawyers.

Commercial Property

Our Commercial Property team have achieved ranking in the Legal 500 for the first time this year. The Legal 500 editorial had this to say about our Commercial Property team, including the independently sourced client quotation below.

Girlings‘ Ashford commercial property team, known as ‘reliable, efficient and trustworthy with a very personal approach to their clients’, offers a wide range of service including assisting developers at every stage of the development cycle, advising leases for landlords, and supporting clients to resolve property disputes. The team works closely with the firm’s corporate and commercial team to deal with high value and complex corporate support work. Team head Jeremy Burke has over 22 years’ experience working with companies, charities, educational institutions, banks, developers and individuals based in the UK and abroad.

The team is comprised of lawyers of varied experiences and knowledge in various legal aspects, whose skills and resources are tapped into when needed. In my personal experience with Girlings, we have faced various particularities in our business (both in leasehold agreements, and freehold agreements, and various security demands) where the Girlings team has provided clarity and support throughout.’

Jeremy Burke, Amrita Bartram and David Redgate are listed as Legal 500 Recommended Lawyers.

Before relying on this commentary please read the Reliance on information posted section in our Terms of Website Use in our Legal section. Please note that specialist advice should be taken in relation to any specific queries and the information above is provided for general information purposes only.

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