Record number of rankings in Chambers and Partners legal directory

HCR Law is ranked in all its regions in the Chambers and Partners UK 2026 guide, which recognises leading law firms and lawyers within the UK legal sector.

With a record number of rankings, HCR achieves more than 90 rankings across individuals and practice areas. This is a 15% increase on last year, demonstrating our commitment to client excellence and strategic expansion across England and Wales.

Notable achievements include three new practice area and five new lawyer rankings.

61 individual lawyers are ranked across HCR, including 12 Band 1 rankings, as we continue to grow and attract leading legal talent in all regions.

HCR’s Partnership team, led by Robert Capper, achieves UK-wide recognition, with Rachel Khiara receiving a Band 2 UK-wide ranking.

The Education practice, led by Kristine Scott – who maintains her UK-wide Band 1 ranking – also achieves UK-wide recognition, along with the Healthcare team, showcasing our sector expertise. Joint Head of Education and Charities team, Oliver Daniels, also maintains his UK-wide ranking.

The Welsh office in Cardiff, celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, marks its growth with a new practice area ranking – Band 3 in Real Estate – and improved rankings in two areas. Both Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Intellectual Property move from Band 2 to Band 1. Wales also maintains its Band 1 status in Information Technology and Band 3 rankings in Corporate/M&A and Employment.

Partner and Head of Technology Services, Nicola McNeely, receives two Band 1 lawyer rankings in Information Technology and Intellectual Property. While Head of Agriculture and Estates Rory Hutchings retains his Band 1 ranking.

The rankings also reflect HCR’s growth across East Anglia, following the opening of our new Norwich office. There’s a new Band 2 ranking for the Restructuring and Insolvency team – and Head of the Norwich office, Frank Brumby also receives a second, UK-wide ranking – while the Real Estate Litigation team improves its ranking to Band 2.

The Cambridge office retains its rankings in all previous categories. 12 team members are recognised, including Band 1 rankings for Denise Wilkinson and James Simpson.

Our expertise and leading market presence in the South West is also noted. The Cheltenham office retains its rankings across six practice areas, with 13 lawyers individually ranked. This includes a first-time ranking for Rachel Roberts and an improved ranking for Adam Finch, who moves from Band 4 to Band 3. Additionally, the Employment team improved from a Band 4 to Band 3.

The Thames Valley team maintains its Band 1 ranking in £5m+ Corporate M&A, with Head of Thames Valley Corporate, Rachel Turner, ranked in Band 1 for another year. This reflects the Corporate team’s continued success in the South East, where HCR is ranked the most active dealmakers, according to Experian. Elsewhere in the team, Robert Rice and Richard Devall retain their Band 2 rankings, while Peter Orton is recognised as an associate to watch.

In the Midlands, teams maintain their rankings in five practice areas, including Band 1 for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 10 lawyers receive individual rankings, with three improving on their rankings from last year: Ally Taft moves up to Band 1, while Stephanie Dennis and Sam Payne achieve Band 2 recognition. Gareth Williams retains his Band 1 ranking and Dominic Hopkins is acknowledged in the Senior Statespeople category. Greg Hill is recognised for the first time as an associate to watch.

In the West Midlands, Alison Scott receives an individual ranking in Band 3. David Perry, who recently joined HCR’s Real Estate team in the Birmingham office, is also ranked.

Another recent addition to HCR’s growing team, Ben Ticehurst in the Insurance, Risk and Regulatory team, is listed as up and coming in London.

Rod Thomas, Managing Partner, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating record results in the latest Chambers and Partners rankings. This achievement is testament to the calibre of our legal teams and dedication of our people across HCR Law.

“The feedback and commentary shared by our clients and professional network in the Chambers and Partners 2026 directory highlights the trust placed in us and the consistent focus we bring to supporting the people and businesses we work with.”

The 2026 results follow the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide 2025, released in July, which saw 17 of our Private Client lawyers listed across six regions. HCR’s performance across both directories demonstrates the firm’s national growth, leading expertise and dedication to excellent client service.