The Legal 500

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About

Founded in 1987, Legalease is a leader in the provision of legal market information. As a quality-driven publisher, we offer authoritative and in-depth analysis and commentary across a broad portfolio of publications, spanning directories, magazines, journals, textbooks and online. We aim to be at the forefront of legal publishing, creating high-quality publications for the elite of the legal profession, and their clients.

The hugely successful Legal 500 series of guides reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in over 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. These easy-to-navigate and cross-referenced guides provide research and law firm rankings to enable clients to identify the best law firm for the job.

Our flagship website is Legal500.com. It was the first legal referral site on the internet and it has grown to be the largest. Legal500.com contains not only the content of the entire Legal 500 series, but also a wide range of articles, briefings and updates.

For further information on Legalease and our products, please visit www.legalease.co.uk.

Editorial: our team of researchers speaks to thousands of law firm commercial clients every year. Our Law Firm Recommendations are based largely on what those clients tell us - plus we also get the opinions of thousands of rival commercial lawyers. In addition, we acquire much confidential information about the client lists of major firms, and the transactions/deals they have been involved in.

Our editorial team: our journalists and researchers are experienced professionals, who know their markets. They can provide the independent insight needed to produce a qualitative assessment of a country's finest legal practices (they travel to over 50 countries each year).

Getting into the Editorial: the only way a law firm can get into our Law Firm Recommendations is on merit alone - if our researchers think they are good enough for inclusion. It is not possible for a firm to buy its way into the Editorial. In non-editorial areas of the site, law firms can take banner display ads or sponsor sections (eg Legal Developments; Law Firm News).

A note to plagiarists: Thousands of hours of research and work have gone into the preparation of the information in this directory. There is no other source of such information and we shall immediately take proceedings against anyone who plagiarises, condenses, or adapts any of the contents of this publication (or who otherwise breaks our copyright). However, in practice, we are usually quite happy to give permission for extracts to be quoted provided we have been asked for permission beforehand and provided we are fully credited. To avoid problems and misunderstandings telephone us (020 7396 9292) and speak to David Burgess

Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy of this publication, the publishers, editors, and authors cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, mis-statements or mistakes

Further copies of The Legal 500 can be ordered from the subscriptions department at Legalease (phone 020 7396 9313, fax 020 7396 9301)

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments worldwide

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Jersey Royal Court considers measure of damages for dilapidations claims

    In the absence of any statutory provision in Jersey addressing how dilapidations claims are to be quantified, the Royal Court's decision in JSSL v Barclays has provided some much needed guidance, particularly in circumstances where there is an acceptance that works to redress dilapidations have not been and will not be carried out.
  • English Supreme Court rules on Mistake and Hastings Bass

    On 9 May 2013 the English Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment on the seminal cases of Pitt-v- Holt and Futter -v- Futter , with Lord Walker's valedictory judgment conclusively resolving the English position on the rule in Hastings Bass and rescission on the ground of mistake.
  • Getting the breaks

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • Product liability and dietary supplements

    Shook, Hardy & Bacon currently authors the Insurance section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • The calm before 
the storm: are 
you prepared for 
a dawn raid?

    WilmerHale currently authors the Fraud and Corporate Crime section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .
  • International shipment of waste: transporters beware

    Burges Salmon LLP currently authors the Environment and Energy section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here
  • Cyprus Shipping Industry : Business as usual. Why despite recent events Cyprus remains an internatio

    Cyprus is the third most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Traditionally Cyprus has always been at the heart of the seafaring trade and therefore always functioned as an important centre for trade and commerce. Today as a member of the European Union it remains an optimal business base. It is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments worldwide. Foreign companies have been given the opportunity to invest and establish business in Cyprus on equal terms with local investors as no distinction is made between foreign and Cypriot companies.
  • FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS

    The excellent support system in combination with the ideal jurisdiction provided in Cyprus set the country in the list of the most desirable countries through which you can offer foreign exchange operations. In addition, the accession of Cyprus within the European Union and, most importantly, the extremely beneficial economic advantages available due to the low costs and the outstanding taxation, create a covetable environment for foreign investors.
  • National public order. Adoption of the Draft

    The Presidium of the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation (hereinafter - SCC RF) adopted by the Informative Letter No. 156 dated the 26th of February, 2013 (hereinafter - the Informative Letter) on Review of the consideration by arbitrazh courts of the cases on the implementation of the public order clause as the ground for rejection of the recognition and enforcement of the foreign court decisions and arbitral awards.
  • China Customs New Interpretation

    For many products, tariff classification can be technically complex, confusing, and subject to multiple interpretations. Often several different Harmonized System Codes ("HS Code") may seem applicable for one given product with different tariff rates. Tariff classification is indeed a process of application of customs classification rules, including customs rulings and decisions, and misclassification may trigger severe legal consequences. The sad fact is, unfortunately, that many companies rely on non-legal professionals to determine the HS Codes for imports or exports. A recent interpretation issued by the General Administration of Customs of China ("GACC") (Circular No. [2012] 495 Shu-Fa-Fa) (the "Interpretation") reinforces the process of tariff classification as a legal matter, and formulates the test as to what counts for regulatory violation if tariff classification rules are improperly applied by the importer or exporter in a given case. If the legal defense is successful, misclassification may only be treated as a non-violation misclassification, with the possible obligation to pay up additional customs duties, if any, but without administrative or criminal consequences. The Interpretation took effect as from February 1, 2013.

Press Releases worldwide

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to