The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, tier 5

‘Excellent on all counts’, Darbys Solicitors LLP regularly acts for shareholders on M&A matters. Nick Hedges advised Cross Country Caravans on the £3.2m sale of Fayre Oaks Home Park to another home park provider. Associates Jonathan Williamson (who ‘maintains ownership of the task until completion’) and Sian Champkin (who is ‘very professional and friendly’) are recommended.

Within Crime, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Jim Astle heads the team at Darbys Solicitors LLP, which in 2010 successfully defended a trainee airline pilot accused of assaulting a taxi driver, as well as a senior figure in a religious institution accused of sexual impropriety. The team also has a large corporate client base.

Within Licensing Licensing

Within Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP took on specialist commercial debt recovery firm Graham Bridgman & Co in September 2010, further strengthening its commercial recovery and insolvency capability. The team also handles contentious probate, equine claims and land disputes. Nick Wright leads the group, and Graham Bridgman is praised for his ‘industry knowledge, accessibility and professionalism’.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s ‘excellent insolvency litigation team’ advised on the administration of Track Seminars, and continues to represent an insolvency practitioner in the High Court regarding the administration of Northwich Victoria FC. With a ‘calm and methodical approach’, Elizabeth Taylor is a ‘solid player’ in the arena. The firm lost Howard Roberts to Leeds-based Schofield Sweeney in 2010. Associate Caroline Benfield is ‘very bright and promising’.

Within Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP delivers ‘sound and timely advice’ with a ‘strong solutions-based focus’. The team advises over 400 schools through its BLUE for Schools programme, including Oxford and Cherwell Valley College. David Parry delivers ‘the best realistic outcome in the most cost-effective way’.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team advises on multimillion-pound cerebral palsy and neurological damage cases, as well as orthopaedic, sterilisation and oncology claims. Practice head Helen Niebuhr is a ‘consummate professional’.

Within Personal injury: claimant Personal injury: claimant

Within Agriculture and estates Agriculture and estates

Within Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s team is led by William Selby-Lowndes, who is a ‘calm and safe pair of hands’. Consultant Catherine Eddy has ‘excellent judgement’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP impresses with its ‘sensitive approach’. The ‘very thorough’ team recruited legal executive Amanda Beegoo in 2010. Rebecca Kashti is ‘prompt and efficient’, and associates Katharine Allred and Graeme Hall are also recommended.

Within Local government , Darbys Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Planning partner Deborah Ceadel leads the team at Darbys Solicitors LLP, which advises local authority and developer clients on city centre redevelopments and other property-related matters.

Within Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s ‘very professional’ team features the ‘first-class’ Mark Taylor and Samantha Leigh, who is a ‘breath of fresh air’. It acts for several Oxford University colleges, and provides ‘exceptional value for money’.

Within Planning, Darbys Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

The planning team at Darbys Solicitors LLP advises on matters including appeal and enforcement issues. Planning and highways specialist Deborah Ceadel is recognised for her expertise in planning obligations, covering commercial and residential development, town centre redevelopment and the delivery of infrastructure; ‘she is professional, approachable and has a thorough working knowledge of the practice area’.