The Legal 500 UK 2026 rankings are now live following months of research throughout 2025. The rankings highlight the best firms and lawyers throughout the country, with this year’s coverage including nearly 1200 firms and over 13000 individuals. The 2026 guide is also the first UK guide to be published with the new Legal 500 law firm comparison tool, which allows users to directly compare rankings, matters and lawyer accolades for up to 3 law firms.
2025 has been another busy year in the Yorkshire legal market, with a fluctuating economic environment at the national and international level driving an unpredictable flurry of dealmaking, while simultaneously a trend for devolution among London-based firms has seen regional offices displaying notable growth.
The merger of leading firms Wilkin Chapman and Rollits has been perhaps the major event of the year, with the combined firm now operating at a Yorkshire level across Hull, York, and Beverley. Consolidation has been the year’s watchword across numerous sectors, but in the legal industry other notable developments include the September merger of Sheffield firm Bell & Buxton with Sills & Betteridge, and the acquisition of Lupton Fawcett by Flint Bishop, which has its primary Yorkshire base in Leeds. The expanding firms will likely be a source of increased competition for the suite of national level firms which continue to show a strong showing in the Yorkshire market, including Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, and Eversheds Sutherland.
The region’s coverage spans nearly 550 rankings across 45 practice areas, with Walker Morris, DLA Piper and Addleshaw Goddard at the head of the pack with 24, 24 and 23 firm rankings respectively, as well as 44,42 and 41 lawyer rankings per firm. The top five is rounded out by Pinsent Masons and Irwin Mitchell, which have 19 and 18 rankings respectively, and 39 and 30 individuals ranked. Walker Morris remains the leading Leeds-only firm, although Clarion follows close behind with 16 total rankings.
Elsewhere, CMS, DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell remain the key names of note in Sheffield, while Hull maintains its reputation as a distinct local market, with Andrew Jackson, Gosschalks and the newly merged Wilkin Chapman Rollits consistently featuring in the city’s standalone rankings.
On behalf of Amy Ulliott, Legal 500 UK regions editor, and Edgar Tate, Legal 500 UK regions deputy editor, congratulations to all of the firms and individuals ranked in this year’s coverage
View the UK Rankings 2026 at: https://www.legal500.com/c/london
About Legal 500
Founded in 1987 as the original clients’ guide to law firms, Legal 500 is now a data-driven, AI-optimised research platform benchmarking and connecting providers and users of legal services in over 100 countries.
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