Ranking tables

Commercial and Corporate Litigation | UK

London (Firms)

Commercial and Corporate Litigation ranks firms and lawyers in London advising businesses, high net worth individuals and other non-public sector entities on contractual litigation and other disputes related to commercial agreements. It also covers corporate litigation, including post-M&A disputes, corporate control issues, joint venture disputes and shareholder disputes. This section focuses on courtroom litigation, rather than alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and international arbitration. 

Please note this is a London-only table - similar work by firms in other parts of the UK can be found in our regional Litigation sections. 

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1
Band 1
  1. Clifford Chance LLP
    1
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance offers an outstanding disputes practice with a strong bench of talented litigators. The firm is regularly appointed by major clients to advise on litigation arising out of complex transactions and business arrangements and frequently acts on major shareholder disputes and breach of contract cases. The London office offers clients the benefit of a significant global presence during multi-jurisdictional proceedings.
  2. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    1
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a market-leading firm with a strong focus on high-stakes commercial and corporate litigation. The team has an impressive ability to handle highly complex matters concerning multiple parties and jurisdictions and is known for acting on behalf of blue-chip clients including multinational corporations and ultra high net worth individuals. Practitioners at the firm regularly act on big-ticket shareholder disputes in the Commercial Court, representing both corporations and minority shareholders.
  3. Hogan Lovells
    1
    Hogan Lovells
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells is a top-quality litigation outfit with considerable experience in handling complex, high-value cases. It has noted strength in corporate matters, including big-ticket shareholder, joint venture and post-acquisition disputes. The firm is also well known for its ability to take on cases with challenging multi-jurisdictional aspects. Solicitors at the firm are instructed by an enviable array of clients, including financial institutions, mining companies and ultra high net worth individuals.
  4. Herbert Smith Freehills
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 1
2
Band 2
  1. Allen & Overy LLP
    2
    Allen & Overy LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Allen & Overy fields an experienced group of litigators tackling a broad spread of work on behalf of an impressive roster of high-end clients. The disputes team is known for representing multinational companies in the financial services, energy and technology spaces. It offers considerable expertise in handling complicated cross-border cases and regularly handles high-value shareholder disputes, breach of contract claims and post-transaction proceedings.
  2. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    2
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Debevoise & Plimpton boasts a distinguished team with impressive international capabilities. The London office has substantial experience acting on high-value, complex cases in the Commercial Court. The team also possesses notable expertise in post-M&A disputes and is experienced at handling matters relating to corporate control. It is highly active on contractual and joint venture disputes concerning natural resources.
  3. Macfarlanes LLP
    2
    Macfarlanes LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Macfarlanes has a robust litigation group that is regularly instructed on high-value, cross-border matters. The firm manages a broad caseload that includes a significant focus on disputes regarding commercial and corporate agreements. It represents corporate clients, financial institutions and individual executives, and demonstrates notable ability in litigation involving family-owned businesses.
  4. 2
    Slaughter and May
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    Slaughter and May offers a strong litigation outfit that is regularly instructed to act on significant disputes. The team's expertise includes contractual litigation, as well as that concerning shareholder disagreements, contested transactions and joint ventures. The firm acts for leading clients in finance, technology, energy and healthcare, and also possesses significant cross-border capabilities.
  5. Stewarts
    2
    Stewarts
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    Stewarts has a sizeable presence in contentious corporate matters and the ability to handle disputes with big-ticket values. The London team has a solid reputation for taking the lead on behalf of claimants in large-scale shareholder actions while also assisting clients with breach of contract claims and other commercial disputes. The firm also shows notable expertise in handling matters with complex offshore aspects.
  6. Travers Smith LLP
    2
    Travers Smith LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Travers Smith demonstrates considerable ability in litigation regarding corporate control issues and M&A transactions. The firm also handles shareholder disputes and litigation arising out of a range of commercial arrangements. Its strong client base includes blue-chip technology companies and private equity firms. The firm is highly adept at cross-border proceedings, with significant experience representing clients based outside the UK as well as coordinating across multiple jurisdictions.
  7. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 2
3
Band 3
  1. Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    3
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Addleshaw Goddard has a robust team involved in a range of commercial and corporate litigation. It handles disputes arising out of M&A transactions and commercial agreements, along with significant corporate disputes. The team acts for major companies in the pharmaceutical, food and transport sectors, as well as investment and private equity funds. It has further expertise in disputes concerning the technology sector.
  2. Latham & Watkins
    3
    Latham & Watkins
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins has a well-established litigation team with substantial experience handling high-profile cases. The team is noted for its expertise in contractual breaches, joint venture disputes and shareholder claims. Its clients include asset managers as well as leading companies in technology and natural resources.
  3. Linklaters
    3
    Linklaters
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Linklaters has a prominent litigation team, highly regarded for handling commercial disputes with cross-border elements. It has notable expertise in the financial services, mining and telecommunications sectors, with deep experience handling proceedings in the Commercial Court. The team regularly advises on business-critical contractual disputes as well as those relating to contested share purchase agreements.
  4. Mishcon de Reya LLP
    3
    Mishcon de Reya LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Mishcon de Reya has a dynamic litigation team, particularly known for representation of claimants in a range of disputes. It possesses considerable experience in shareholder litigation, collective actions and breach of contract cases. The firm acts for domestic and international clients across a range of industries, including both multinational companies and owner-managed businesses.
  5. RPC
    3
    RPC
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    RPC has notable expertise in acting for multinational corporations, privately owned companies and ultra high net worth individuals on commercial and corporate litigation. It regularly handles disputes between shareholders and joint venture partners as well as those relating to major commercial contracts. The firm offers complementary strength in disputes concerning banking and financial services and cases often involve a cross-border element.
  6. Signature Litigation LLP
    3
    Signature Litigation LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Signature Litigation is a highly respected litigation boutique with expertise in a wide range of contentious corporate matters. The team is particularly well versed in shareholder disputes, including large group actions, and also advises on cases concerning breaches of contract and fiduciary duties. The firm has strong international capability and is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional cases.
  7. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    3
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Skadden is recognised for its high level of corporate and litigation expertise in the UK and internationally. It has strength in shareholder disputes and matters concerning individuals based abroad, with key experience in multi-jurisdictional and offshore matters. The team is adept at handling cases at all levels, including the UK Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
  8. Stephenson Harwood LLP
    3
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Stephenson Harwood has considerable strength in commercial litigation, particularly on large-scale contractual and joint venture disputes. The firm often acts for ultra high net worth individuals, as well as large multinational companies. It is particularly strong in cross-border claims with clients based overseas and regularly handles shareholder litigation and disputes relating to corporate ownership and control.
  9. White & Case LLP
    3
    White & Case LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    White & Case has a strong litigation offering that is particularly well regarded on large-scale cross-border mandates covering the USA, Asia, Europe and offshore jurisdictions. It is adept at handling disputes over corporate control and shareholder issues as well as big-ticket contractual matters. The team represents clients across a broad range of sectors, including mining, heavy industry, technology and financial services.
  10. CMS
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3
  11. Simmons & Simmons LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 3
4
Band 4
  1. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    4
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a well-regarded litigation practice with robust expertise in high-profile disputes in the UK and abroad. The London office is able to advise on complex cross-border matters owing to its international resources. The team regularly handles high-value commercial contracts disputes for clients across a range of sectors, including aviation, transport and logistics. The group also has expertise in shareholder disputes.
  2. Covington & Burling LLP
    4
    Covington & Burling LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Covington & Burling advises on post-transaction and contractual disputes for an impressive client base that includes multinational companies and high net worth individuals. The team's areas of expertise also include disputes arising from insolvency and in the life sciences sector. It has notable strength in handling multi-jurisdictional litigation, aided by its strong US presence.
  3. Jones Day
    4
    Jones Day
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Jones Day is an international firm with a noted ability to handle cross-border litigation work. It is adept at handling cases involving shareholder actions, complex contractual issues and joint venture disputes. The firm represents well-known companies and institutions across a range of sectors, including financial services, technology and aviation.
  4. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    4
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Kirkland & Ellis has a sophisticated litigation team well known for its experience acting in high-profile and complex disputes. The firm frequently advises clients on cross-border matters including shareholder actions, commercial claims and contested corporate transactions. The team also has particular expertise representing private equity firms.
  5. Lewis Silkin
    4
    Lewis Silkin
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    Lewis Silkin offers high-quality advice to clients facing a wide spread of corporate and commercial litigation, often on an international basis. The team tackles disputes relating to joint venture, shareholder and contractual agreements, as well as post-transaction claims. The firm acts for high-level corporates as well as individual shareholders and executives in a range of sectors.
  6. Pallas Partners LLP
    4
    Pallas Partners LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Pallas Partners represented a group of institutional investors, including Vanguard, Invesco and Fidelity, in an approximately £2 billion lawsuit against Glencore and others for alleged misstatements and omissions in relation to Glencore's IPO and subsequent takeover of a major rival.
  7. Reed Smith LLP
    4
    Reed Smith LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Reed Smith advises clients on the full range of commercial disputes arising from high-value corporate transactions. The firm regularly handles multi-jurisdictional mandates and has particular expertise in the financial services, retail and technology sectors. The team's expertise also extends to substantial disputes concerning commodities and natural resources.
  8. Norton Rose Fulbright
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 4
5
Band 5
  1. Arnold & Porter
    5
    Arnold & Porter
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    Arnold & Porter regularly acts for high net worth individuals as well as large corporates on a variety of commercial and corporate disputes, including shareholder and contractual claims. The team has notable expertise in cross-border litigation, bolstered by its strong presence in the USA.
  2. Ashurst
    5
    Ashurst
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Ashurst advises clients from across a broad range of industries on complex commercial disputes. The team has notable strength in handling post-M&A and shareholder litigation. It also has experience in defending group action claims.
  3. Baker McKenzie
    5
    Baker McKenzie
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie can leverage its strong international presence to act for ultra high net worth individuals and large corporate entities on a range of commercial and corporate litigation. The London team regularly acts on complex shareholder, breach of contract and joint venture disputes, often involving multiple jurisdictions.
  4. Dechert LLP
    5
    Dechert LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    Dechert has a well-known disputes team with a notable focus on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional cases. The London office handles commercial litigation relating to breaches of contract along with shareholder, joint venture and transactional disputes. The firm represents a broad roster of clients including global corporations and high net worth individuals.
  5. Enyo Law LLP
    5
    Enyo Law LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Enyo Law is a litigation boutique with considerable experience in handling commercial disputes, often with an international element. The firm regularly acts for significant corporations and high net worth individuals in post M&A and payment disputes, as well as breach of contract matters.
  6. Farrer & Co LLP
    5
    Farrer & Co LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Farrer & Co has experience in a broad variety of commercial litigation, including joint venture, shareholder and contractual disputes. The firm is prominent within the financial services sector, with further expertise in other industries such as technology and real estate. It can leverage the strength of its market-leading private client team to assist in representing high net worth investors and other individuals, including both UK and foreign nationals.
  7. Fieldfisher
    5
    Fieldfisher
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Fieldfisher possesses strong expertise in disputes concerning the corporate world, such as shareholder and joint venture matters. The team also has experience in large contractual claims and litigation arising from insolvency situations. Clients of the firm range from ultra high net worth individuals and company directors to asset managers and large corporates.
  8. Hausfeld & Co LLP
    5
    Hausfeld & Co LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Hausfeld acted for Trappit, Trappit Tecnologias and 2MC Gestión y Consultoria in a claim against GBT Travel Services UK for alleged misuse of confidential information and infringement of intellectual property rights relating to travel savings software.
  9. HFW
    5
    HFW
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    The skilled disputes team at HFW is regularly involved in complex commercial litigation. The firm is adept at handling international disputes concerning parties in multiple jurisdictions, including shareholder and contract claims. Notable clients include energy conglomerates, financial institutions and leading private equity firms, as well as high net worth individuals and businesspeople.
  10. Wallace LLP
    5
    Wallace LLP
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    The experienced litigation team at Wallace is noted for its adept representation of corporates, shareholders and high net worth individuals on a range of contentious matters. The firm is able to advise on high-value and complex disputes related to breach of contract and warranty, along with shareholder actions.
  11. Eversheds Sutherland
    Commercial and Corporate Litigation
    2024 | Band 5