• Independent verdict

The independent verdict

Chambers 2009 Guide

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

In its 2009 edition, the directory had this to say about Ward Hadaway:

  • "Ward Hadaway is 'well ahead of its North-Eastern competition'."
  • "the firm is 'making a big splash'.”
  • "its new Leeds practice highlights a 'dynamic firm always looking to the future and for ways to improve its service'."
  • "this firm is becoming a major player throughout the North."
  • "a leading litigation player in the North East... 'smart, user-friendly and responsive lawyers'.”
  • "Ward Hadaway has firmly established itself as the market leader for residential development work."
  • "Sources praise the [healthcare] group's approachability and flexibility."
  • "Lauded for its 'expert knowledge, impressive ability and competitive rates'... "
  • "A significant name in the North East for banking and finance work... 'absolutely brilliant' team."
  • "The [planning] team is prized for 'carrying out its work with minimum drama'."
  • "'a client-oriented [property litigation] team that will always work hard to protect your interests'.”

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 2008

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.