20 October 2022

Forsters maintains its top rankings in the new Chambers UK Guide 2023

Chambers and Partners have today launched their latest Guide to the UK legal market.

We are delighted to report that Forsters has maintained our Top Band status in the Real Estate and Agriculture & Rural Affairs categories. In recognition of our stellar Commercial Real Estate practice and lawyers who have driven growth and performance the Guide has increased Forsters’ profile. Our Construction practice has been elevated to a higher banding, with the Social Housing and Planning teams newly ranked. In addition, our Family UHNW team and Art & cultural Property Law Team have significantly moved up in the rankings.

The news follows the firm's success in the recently published Chambers HNW Guide, where our Private Wealth Law and Private Wealth Disputes teams continue to retained their top rankings, and our Residential Property team secured a Band One position.

The UK Guide ranks 26 of Forsters' leading Partners and Counsel. The firm is very proud to report that three of its leading Partners have this year been elevated in the rankings in recognition of their expertise and market reputation:

The firm is delighted to see that its wider pool of experts are newly ranked; Sarah Cook (increase to Band Two), Ben Barrison (elevated to Band Five), Katherine Ekers (newly ranked as ‘Up and Coming’), Catherine Hill (Band three), Neasa Coen (uplifted to Band Three) and Laura Neal (‘Associates to Watch’).

The Guide reports that "Forsters is a very strong firm capable of handling complex and sophisticated matters very well. They're responsive and provide a high level of service."

Agriculture & Rural Affairs - Band One

Ranked Lawyers: Henry Cecil, Penny Elliott, Christopher Findley, Andrew Lane and Rupert Mead

Chambers notes: Forsters maintains a well-regarded rural team with capabilities across rural property, tax and contentious work. Its clientele includes the owners of traditional landed estates, as well as international purchasers.

Market experts commented: "They have a dedicated and specialist team that know and understand the industry well."

Real Estate: Mainly Mid-Market - Band One

Ranked Lawyers: Smita Edwards (elevated to Senior Statesperson), Katherine Ekers (newly ranked as ‘Up and Coming’) and Victoria Towers

Forsters advises a number of leading real estate funds, offering expertise in all kinds of investment transactions, while also handling development matters, including sizeable residential schemes. The team represents developers, investors and landlords in relation to retail property concerns and also has notable expertise in handling matters related to the logistics sector. The firm continues to advise the Crown Estate on a range of matters concerning its London property portfolio.

One client says: "The team is made up of well-placed and experienced individuals supported by responsive partners who are clearly knowledgeable and up to speed on the matter at hand."

Real Estate Litigation – Band Two

Ranked Lawyers: Natasha Rees (newly ranked as Band One), Ben Barrison (newly ranked, Band Five) and Jonathan Ross (elevated to ‘Senior Statesperson’)

Chambers Notes: Forsters represents a broad client base, ranging from institutional investors and funds to property developers, on a wide range of residential property disputes and enfranchisement cases. The team maintains substantial expertise in contentious matters concerning rights to light, service charge disputes and professional negligence claims.

Market sources comment "The team at Forsters provides excellent service for value and is very responsive and very commercially aware."

Art & Cultural Property Law - Band Two

Ranked Lawyers: Catherine Hill, Laura Neal

Chambers Notes: Forsters has a recognised art and cultural property law practice, and regularly advises collectors, galleries and auction houses. The firm is particularly notable for handling estate planning and commercial matters for living artists.

“I can't fault them. They are extremely thorough, approachable, detail-focused and supportive. We enjoy working with them and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone."

Social Housing - Band Three

Ranked Lawyers: Sara Branch and Anne O’Neill

Chambers notes: Forsters has a robust social housing practice that sees the firm's lawyers act for a range of social housing associations, developers and contractors. It advises on matters including complex tax issues, acquisition of land and development financings. In addition, the team offers further expertise in connection with joint ventures and innovative development schemes.

Market experts have commented: "They are second to none in relation to their ability to manage complex agreements and structures, and their ability to offer practical and commercially sound advice."

UHNW Family/Matrimonial - Band Four

Ranked Lawyers: Joanne Edwards, Simon Blain and Rosie Schumm

Chambers notes: The Forsters family law team has a broad practice covering complex and high-value financial remedies, as well as a variety of children law matters for married and unmarried parents. It advises foreign nationals on complex post-separation issues, as well as UK-based parties with cross-border asset portfolios. The department houses significant strength in nuptial agreements covering multiple jurisdictions. Lawyers at the firm have particular experience in cases with trust-related issues and act on behalf of trustees.

Commentators noted "They are one of the best family law teams in the country."

Forsters’ Family team is also ranked in Band Three in the Chambers HNW Guide 2022. Joanne is also ranked in Family/Matrimonial: Mainly ADR - London (Firms) table.

Construction – Non-contentious (new ranking Band Four) and Contentious (Band Five)

Ranked Lawyers: Sarah Cook, Emily Holdstock, Andrew Parker and Richard Spring

Chambers notes: Forsters is a well-respected firm with a strong reputation for purchaser-side representation in both a contentious and non-contentious capacity. The team receives regular instructions to advise clients on large-scale domestic residential and commercial developments. Its lawyers can assist with construction-related disputes, with experience in representing clients in the Technology and Construction Court, as well as arbitrations and adjudications.

Industry experts commented: "They have strong technical expertise across all areas and an ability to work seamlessly across teams to ensure a comprehensive, end-to-end service."

Planning – Band Five

Ranked Lawyers: Victoria Du Croz

Chambers Notes: Forsters' planning team is best known for its work on regeneration projects in London and the surrounding conurbation. The team also acts for the firm's high net worth and landed estate clients. Other clients include major developers, institutional investors and local authorities.

Leading market experts remarked: "The team is acutely aware of the business needs of the organisation and adopts an excellent, no-fuss approach. We always get a quick but considered response comprised of clear and practical advice."

The following Partners and Counsel are also Ranked Lawyers in the 2023 Guide:

Neasa Coen – Charities (elevated to Band Three) "Neasa provides swift responses with carefully considered and wise legal advice. She is hugely empathetic and always alert to the wider implications of the cases she advises on."

Dearbhla Quigley – Capital Markets: AIM (Band Three) "She is excellent with detail but maintains an ability to see the commercial bigger picture."

Our Insights

"A solid and well-established firm, particularly on trust and probate disputes."  
Chambers HNW
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