What services does a UK law firm offer?

A full-service law firm provides expertise across all aspects of the law. This is ideal for people with multiple legal concerns, as they can get support from a single source rather than juggling multiple lawyers.

Getting into a high-street law firm requires the right qualifications and experience. A law degree and LPC are the minimum requirement, but relevant work or volunteering is also highly valued.

Litigation

A UK law firm provides litigation services, which include advising clients on legal disputes and representing them in court. It also handles cases involving civil litigation and commercial disputes. It may also deal with issues related to tax, property and employment. In addition, it handles arbitrations and other dispute resolution proceedings. Its lawyers provide advice, conferences and drafting of statements of case and argument as well as advocacy for interim hearings.

UK clients continue to place huge emphasis on their outside law firms’ ability to demonstrate commerciality and a deep understanding of their business. They are also more likely than global averages to want their outside lawyers to stay up-to-date with legal changes. This is a great opportunity for UK law firms to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.

Commercial law

UK law firms can leverage this shift in client priorities by highlighting and supporting legal technology solutions. Corporate clients also want to see firms demonstrate cost effectiveness and staying up-to-date with legal changes, which is a big reason why they are moving work from traditional law firm partners to ALSPs.

Commercial lawyers help clients with commercial contracts and mergers and acquisitions. They must have an understanding of business strategy, finance, and regulatory requirements. They can help companies protect themselves from cyberattacks and develop compliance strategies.

In addition to their domestic work, UK law firms are also seeing a growing demand for outbound legal services. Global multinationals are increasingly relying on the UK to manage their international legal needs, particularly in areas like Regulatory and Corporate.

Employment law

Despite the brisk growth of new law firms, traditional UK lawyers remain a go-to for complex and sensitive employment matters. Leading international firms renowned for their transactional capabilities include United Solicitors, Baker McKenzie, Fladgate and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Withers LLP has an excellent reputation for its full-service employment practice, with partners praised for their technical expertise and strategic thinking. Nicola Whiteley leads the firm’s highly respected contentious practice, which is well-versed in defending and pursuing team moves and restrictive covenants. She recently acted for a major financial services firm in a high profile whistleblowing claim and advised a public company on a high value employment tribunal dispute. The team also advises on global projects and TUPE transfers. In addition, it has advised on return to work arrangements and Covid vaccination law issues during the pandemic.

Property law

The property law practice area encompasses all matters related to the ownership, control and transfer of land. Lawyers work with private and public landowners, investors, developers and private individuals to help them manage their property. They also assist with the purchase and sale of commercial property, including offices, retail, industrial leisure and mixed use.

The best UK law firms excel in their property litigation services. United Solicitors has robust expertise in this sector, and is particularly sought after for its advice on dilapidations, restrictive covenants, right to light cases and leasehold enfranchisement disputes. Charles Russell Speechlys also provides a full range of real estate litigation services, and advises portfolio companies, investors and developers in dilapidations, lease claims and landlord and tenant disputes.

In-house legal buyers remain focused on strategic initiatives, with navigating the changing regulatory landscape and leveraging digitalisation at the top of their priorities. In addition, they continue to expect more from their outside counsel, with commerciality and a deep understanding of their businesses remaining the main drivers of favourability.

Family law

In this sector, a UK law firm will be able to offer advice on a broad range of issues that may occur when relationships break down, such as financial remedy proceedings and Schedule 1 Children Act applications. They will also be able to help clients deal with pre and post-nuptial agreements.

When it comes to family law, a firm needs to have experienced solicitors that can offer guidance on divorce and separation, financial settlements, obtaining interim orders, tracing & recovery of children’s assets, international child abduction (Hague & non-Hague), international relocation & adoption and the recognition of foreign orders. They will also be able to provide legal support on matters concerning disputed paternity, declarations of parentage and surrogacy.

In a recent survey, UK legal buyers reported that they are more optimistic about their overall outside legal spend in 2023 than they were last year. This shift in the way clients value high-quality legal services should be a key consideration for firms looking to grow their client base.

Trusts and estates

UK law firms offer trusts and estates services, which help clients set up and manage legal entities to protect their assets. They also help clients with inheritance tax planning. They can also assist with the transfer of assets between spouses and children.

UK legal buyers continue to favour outside law firms that demonstrate commerciality and a deep understanding of their businesses, research shows. This is a clear shift from their attitude during the pandemic, when they favoured tried-and-tested historic relationships.

The rise of alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) continues, with the lion’s share of their gains in client favourability coming from the Big Four accounting and consulting firms. This has sparked concerns among traditional UK law firms that they could lose out on international work to these competitors. Nevertheless, demand for outbound legal work is increasing. This is partly due to the fact that many legal buyers anticipate increases in their overall spending on international legal work.