Forsters maintains its top rankings in the new Chambers UK Guide 2024
Chambers and Partners have today launched their latest Guide to the UK legal market.
"The team at Forsters is dedicated and knowledgeable, as well as highly professional and personable."
"Forsters are always available when needed, combined with a multi-layered team which brings strength, breadth and depth of knowledge."
We are delighted to report that Forsters has maintained its Top Band status in the Real Estate and Agriculture & Rural Affairs categories. Forsters is ranked in nine areas and upholds its reputation as one of the leading Real Estate and Private Wealth firms. In addition, the Family team have had a significant increase from Band Four to Band Two in the prestigious Family/Matrimonial: Ultra High Net Worth category.
The new Guide has ranked 27 Partners and Counsel, including a new ‘Up and Coming’ ranking for Anna Mullins and Dickon Ceadel. There has also been an increase in rankings for Emily Holdstock (elevated to Band Six), Ben Barrison (uplifted to Band Four) and Victoria Towers (increased to Band Three).
The news follows the firm's success in the recently published Chambers HNW Guide, where our Private Wealth Law and High Value Residential teams continue to retain their top rankings, and our Contentious Trusts and Estates team secured a Band One position.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs - Band One
Ranked Lawyers: Henry Cecil, Penny Elliott, Christopher Findley, Andrew Lane and Rupert Mead
Chambers notes: Forsters has a well-regarded rural team with capabilities in rural property, tax and contentious work. Forsters' clients include the owners of traditional landed estates, as well as international purchasers.
Market experts commented: "Forsters have high-quality, strong rural lawyers."
Real Estate: £150 million and above – Band One
Ranked Lawyers: Smita Edwards, Katherine Ekers 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: “They are always very good to deal with. They are very professional but friendly and you can get on with them well, which helps the transaction run more smoothly."
Real Estate Litigation – Band Two
Ranked Lawyers: Natasha Rees, Ben Barrison (increased ranking, Band Four), Anna Mullins (newly ranked, Up and Coming) and Jonathan Ross
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 are as good as it gets. They do fantastic litigation, are of the highest quality and are very polished and easy to deal with."
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, 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: "Forsters' commercial awareness is second to none, it really has a keen sense of what is going on in the market and the considerations a commercial landlord needs to make."
Family/Matrimonial: Ultra High Net Worth - Band Two
Ranked Lawyers: Joanne Edwards, Simon Blain, Dickon Ceadel 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 "The team has the depth required to manage any case, with access to the wider support of a top-class full service firm."
Forsters’ Family team is also ranked in Band Two in the Chambers HNW Guide 2023. Joanne is also ranked in Family/Matrimonial: Mainly ADR - London (Firms) table.
Construction – Non-contentious (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: "It's a sensible and practical firm."
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 lawyers at Forsters respond very quickly with detailed legal advice and recommendations."
The following Partners and Counsel are also Ranked Lawyers in the 2023 Guide:
Neasa Coen – Charities (Band Three) "She is very switched on to the charity sector and a great resource for charity clients covering a range of topical issues that they face."
Dearbhla Quigley – Capital Markets: AIM (Band Three) "Dearbhla is really good to talk with. She understands both sides of the market and the pressures, while still being an excellent lawyer who is highly commercial."