The Legal 500

Langleys has offices in both Lincoln and York, two major regional centres in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside. In addition to being a recognised dominant player within these centres, the firm has successfully extended its reach and penetrated the commercial hubs of both Leeds and Nottingham as well as the surrounding regions of the rest of Yorkshire, Humberside and the East Midlands. The firm also acts for a number of large national organisations on a nationwide basis.

With the aid of first class communication systems and video conferencing as well as efficient team management, the teams in the respective offices of both Lincoln and York do offer true collaborative working. Many lawyers operate regularly from both offices, as the work dictates. The firm is able to field substantial strength and depth in all key sectors over a wide and expanding geographical area.

The firm: The firm has combined a solid reputation, built up over generations, with a technical excellence and a quality service designed to meet the most exacting requirements of business and individuals. Its robust management structure enables the firm to respond to, and anticipate, the opportunities for alternative business models as well as the flexibility to adapt to the developing economic environment.

The firm is extending the efficiency benefits of its IT platform throughout the practice and will continue to use this technological expertise to further enhance its services.

Langleys has successfully achieved re-recognition by Lexcel and Investors in People.

Types of work undertaken: The firm has divided its business into four key divisions: commercial, private, insurance and residential property. Each division focuses on its individual strategy as well as the operational development of its services. This structure ensures that the services the firm provides are responsive to client needs and market developments. The teams are organised to work collaboratively between offices giving clients a seamless and cost-effective service. The linking between teams to cover overlap within the business sectors has been considerably enhanced through the implementation of case management and continually refining workflow.

Commercial: the division provides a comprehensive service to business, including corporate, dispute resolution, regulatory, employment, finance and real estate. Described by clients as highly commercial, modern, well organised and efficient, it has gained a reputation for a first class level of service at competitive prices. Its market share and standing increase year on year, helped by the wide ranging experience of all members of the teams and significant new client gains.

Insurance: enjoying a national reputation, the division acts on a nationwide basis for well-known insurers, loss adjusters and local authorities and fields an impressive client list. The division is based in York and comprises of specialist units such as casualty, catastrophic and large loss claims, motor and public sector, all of which are expanding as a result of rising instructions. The increasing reputation of this division has resulted in some notable client gains.

Private: the division has an enviable reputation in private client and agriculture with a following established over many years, and this continues to develop alongside its growing expertise in specialist areas such as rural affairs, landed estates, and trust and inheritance issues. The division has a respected family team with expertise not only in divorce and separation, but also in child care, adoption and mediation. The division also enjoys an expanding and highly regarded expertise in clinical negligence and claimant personal injury. The new healthcare and welfare unit deals with highly specialised and unique medical treatment and welfare cases in the High Court and Court of Protection.

Residential property: through focused management, training and achievement of quality standards, the division is now recognised as a leading national provider of conveyancing services. These include residential sale and purchase, remortgaging, new build and repossession work. In spite of uncertainties in the property market, the division has continued to increase its UK market share through a variety of national sources.

Number of partners 31
Number of other fee-earners 124