• Independent verdict

The independent verdict

Chambers 2007 Guide

Chambers & Partners is one of the leading independent guides to law firms in the UK.

In its 2007 edition, the directory had this to say about Ward Hadaway:

  • "An audible buzz surrounds Ward Hadaway.”
  • "Young and ambitious, it has set its sights on becoming the North-East's premier legal presence.”
  • “The firm has thrived under the leadership of managing partner Jamie Martin"
  • "Now in its 18th consecutive year of growth, Ward Hadaway's success shows no sign of abating"
  • "A force to be reckoned with in house building"
  • "healthcare is another area in which Ward Hadaway commands respect"
  • "Corporate finance is another booming department"
  • "the firm has maintained its lofty position in the commercial litigation tables"
  • "Ward Hadaway, having demonstrated its ability to be an innovative alternative to those firms already established in the North-East, looks set to take its performance to another level."

For further details on the firm's ranking and write-ups on individual units, click on the 'Chambers & Partners' link on the right.

Legal 500

The Legal 500 is an authoritative guide to the UK legal profession.

In its 2008 edition, the directory had this to say about Ward Hadaway:

  • "Ward Hadaway is increasingly viewed as a major player, in the region and beyond."
  • "Ward Hadaway provides ‘excellent services and punches well beyond its weight'."
  • "It is regularly instructed on significant deals, with deal values almost trebling in the last two years."
  • "Ward Hadaway is increasingly perceived as a major player."
  • "Ward Hadaway’s ‘very amenable and approachable’ [corporate recovery] team is challenging the top tier"
  • "The [Employment] team is ‘sharp, personable, and effectively identifies and concentrates on the main issues’... very good value."
  • "The arrival of Melanie Pears and her team has brought a new dimension to the [PFI] practice at Ward Hadaway, which is increasingly gaining clients outside the region."
  • "2007 saw Ward Hadaway substantially build up its local government portfolio."
  • "Ward Hadaway reports a marked increase in the complexity and value of [family law] cases undertaken in the past 12 months.”
  • "Ward Hadaway’s increasingly dynamic [Commercial Property] practice... is expanding beyond the housebuilding work for which it enjoys a pre-eminent reputation."
  • "Ward Hadaway’s [Environment] practice continues to expand."

For further details on the firm's ranking and write-ups on individual units, please click on the 'Legal 500' link on the right.