Insight

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing 2022 Best Lawyers United Kingdom
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

June 3, 2021 12:00 AM

Every year for 40 years we highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession; completely unbiased legal referrals from the best attorneys in the world.

The 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom recognizes the professional excellence of more than 5,436 lawyers in 83 practice areas, including 244 “Lawyer of the Year” recipients. For this 10th Edition, Best Lawyers honored approximately 3.6%* of practicing lawyers in the United Kingdom. “Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinguishment.


United Kingdom 10th Edition Publication Statistics


Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Publication Statistics

Here are highlights from the 2022 10th Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom:

  • 5,436 Lawyers Recognized
  • 1,070 Firms with listed lawyers
  • 83 Practice Areas

Top 2 metro areas (by number of listed lawyers):

  • London
  • Manchester

Top 10 practice areas by number of recognized lawyers:

  • Employment Law
  • Litigation
  • Real Estate Law
  • Family Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Corporate Finance Law
  • Construction Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Insolvency and Restructuring Law

Top 10 most searched practice areas in the United Kingdom in 2020 on bestlawyers.com:

  • Real Estate Law
  • Financial Services
  • Criminal Practice
  • Litigation
  • Family Law
  • Employment Law
  • Fraud
  • Corporate Law
  • Aviation Law
  • Private Equity Law

Interested in seeing Best Lawyers honorees in The United Kingdom? Use our Find a Lawyer tool to search by location and specialty.

Access the full report of Best Lawyers international releases, updated continuously.

*Based on information published by The Solicitors Regulation Authority

Related Articles

IN PARTNERSHIP

In Today’s World, What Does It Mean To Be a Successful Lawyer?


by Financial Times

As the corporate world evolves, attitudes about what makes a good lawyer are shifting. What do clients want, and how can individuals distinguish themselves

Bright sun shining through office window on man with head down

IN PARTNERSHIP

Closing the Gender Gap in the UK Legal Market


by Financial Times

The number of female lawyers at the UK’s top 100 law firms is increasing, but only slowly – so why are women still significantly under-represented at partner level?

One male and two females working together at table with computer and notebooks

IN PARTNERSHIP

Inclusion in the UK Legal Market: Why Diversity Really Matters


by Financial Times

Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important in law firm business models, driven by client and stakeholder demand, corporate responsibility and recruitment and retention success.

Woman sitting at boardroom table with several other people

Presenting The Best Lawyers in The United Kingdom 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the 12th edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in the United Kingdom for 2024.

Big Ben and bridge over water in London at sunset

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Germany™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Germany.

Black, red and yellow stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Switzerland™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Switzerland.

Red flag with white cross

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Austria™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Austria.

Red and white stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in France™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from France.

Blue, white and red strips

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Belgium™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Belgium.

Black, yellow and red stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Italy™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Italy.

Green, white and red stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in The United Kingdom™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from the United Kingdom.

The Best Lawyers in The United Kingdom 2023

The Future of Litigation Is Changing for Female Solicitors in the U.K.


by Catherine Baksi

The support of entire law firms, organizations and senior counsel members will be the key to encouraging female solicitors and positive change in the industry.

Changing Litigation for UK Female Solicitors

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Japan™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Japan.

The Best Lawyers in Japan™ 2023

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Singapore™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Singapore.

The Best Lawyers in Singapore™ 2023

Announcing The Best Lawyers in New Zealand™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from New Zealand.

The Best Lawyers in New Zealand™ 2023

United in Growth: Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers, the most trusted legal referral guide, is committed to showcasing the ever-growing legal talent around the world. This year we are excited to launch the prestigious Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch listed in the United Kingdom.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the U.K.

Trending Articles

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky

Best Lawyers Expands Chilean 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is pleased to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™, honoring the top lawyers and firms conferred on by their Chilean peers.

Landscape of city in Chile

Best Lawyers Expands 2024 Brazilian Awards


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil™ and the first edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Brazil™.

Image of Brazil city and water from sky

Announcing The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for 2024, including the exclusive "Law Firm of the Year" awards.

Sky view of South Africa town and waterways

The Best Lawyers in Mexico Celebrates a Milestone Year


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ and the second edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Mexico™ for 2024.

Sky view of Mexico city scape

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

The 2024 awards for Portugal include the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ and 2nd edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Portugal™.

City and beach with green water and blue sky

Presenting The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2025


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to present The Best Lawyers in Australia for 2025, marking the 17th consecutive year of Best Lawyers awards in Australia.

Australia flag over outline of country

The Best Lawyers in Peru™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 10th edition of The Best Lawyers in Peru, the prestigious award recognizing the country's lop legal talent.

Landscape of Peru city with cliffside and ocean

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

Presenting the 2024 Best Lawyers Family Law Legal Guide


by Best Lawyers

The 2024 Best Lawyers Family Law Legal Guide is now live and includes recognitions for all Best Lawyers family law awards. Read below and explore the legal guide.

Man entering home and hugging two children in doorway

The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ for 2024, which honors Colombia's most esteemed lawyers and law firms.

Cityscape of Colombia with blue cloudy sky above

Announcing the 2024 Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™, honoring the top lawyers and firms across the country for 2024.

View of Puerto Rico city from the ocean

Canada Makes First Foray Into AI Regulation


by Sara Collin

As Artificial Intelligence continues to rise in use and popularity, many countries are working to ensure proper regulation. Canada has just made its first foray into AI regulation.

People standing in front of large, green pixelated image of buildings

Commingling Assets


by Tamires M. Oliveira

Commingling alone does not automatically turn an otherwise immune asset into an asset subject to marital distribution as explained by one family law lawyer.

Toy house and figure of married couple standing on stacks of coins

How To Check a Lawyer's Reputation


by Best Lawyers

If you find yourself facing legal issues, researching and hiring a lawyer with a solid track record and high level of credibility can make all the difference.

Figure holding a magnify glass over digital profile