Keeping ahead of the field

When it comes to corporate and commercial work there is clear blue water between Cripps and the rest of the pack. With 50 consolidated points overall, it has more than twice the points of its nearest rival, fellow Tunbridge Wells-based Thomson Snell & Passmore and Brachers. Ranked highly in both directories, Cripps is recognised for the increasing number of instructions it is winning from large corporate clients, its cross-border work and its growing reputation in private equity. Legal 500 draws attention to the firm’s work in the insurance sector while Chambers & Partners focuses on the firm’s corporate transactional work.

As a full-service law firm Cripps scores in all the subcategories, but, despite its points advantage, it is by no means the only well-regarded corporate and commercial law firm in the Kent market. Chambers & Partners has warm words for Thomson Snell & Passmore, noting its strong focus on advising owner-managed businesses as well as the UK units of international companies. Meanwhile, Brachers, that has branches in Canterbury and Maidstone, is well regarded by both directories for employment work as well as corporate and commercial. Canterbury, Whitstable and Chatham firm Furley Page has a Band 1 rating from Chambers & Partners in the Corporate and M&A SME and owner-managed category.

The directory notes the firm’s expertise in M&A, join ventures, corporate restructuring and commercial contracts. London, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells boutique Loch Employment

Law remains highly ranked in its specialty.

A notable entrant to the table is national firm Knights, which entered the South East market in 2020 when it acquired Maidstone’s ASB Law for £8.5 million. While yet to make waves in this year’s tables, with an annual revenue of well over £100 million and more than 1,000 fee earners in 22 locations, the acquisitive legal services PLC is one to watch out for.