Ranking tables

Commercial Contracts | UK

UK-wide

This section covers practices which assist clients with agreements relating to the establishment and development of commercial activities between non-public sector entities. It primarily looks at cooperation agreements to carry out commercial activities, including ongoing supply, agency, distribution or manufacturing agreements relating to trading activities and commercial strategies, as well as joint ventures. Such agreements can be either domestic or cross-border in nature. Please note that IT services and IT-driven outsourcing contracts are considered separately under Information Technology & Outsourcing. However, outsourcing arrangements that are not IT-driven, such as legal services, property and maintenance, and other business process contracting arrangements are considered here. Supply and service agreements involving public sector bodies are considered separately in Public Procurement.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Baker McKenzie
    1
    Baker McKenzie
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie has a market-leading practice with a global presence, exhibiting considerable ability on large-scale, business-critical commercial agreements. The team advises clients from a range of industries, with particular expertise across the technology, pharmaceutical and telecoms sectors. It has substantial expertise in supply chain and distribution agreements.
  2. RPC
    1
    RPC
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    RPC acts for high-calibre clients across the retail, media, marketing and technology fields. The team is experienced in advising on a broad range of business-critical commercial agreements, often including international aspects. The firm is also recognised for its capabilities in the financial services sector.
  3. Travers Smith LLP
    1
    Travers Smith LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Travers Smith is a well-regarded full-service firm with considerable skill in high-value and complex commercial agreements. The team often acts for well-known multinational clients on cross-border transactions especially in the retail, media, infrastructure and financial services sectors. It has considerable experience drafting and negotiating collaboration agreements, strategic partnerships and contracts relating to distribution and manufacturing.
2

Band 2

  1. Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    2
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Addleshaw Goddard has an accomplished commercial practice with a strong national presence. It is active across an array of sectors, including financial services, technology and retail. The team demonstrates considerable ability advising a spectrum of clients, from emerging businesses to well-established corporations. It offers expertise in contract drafting and consolidation.
  2. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    2
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a highly experienced commercial practice that regularly acts on large-scale, business-critical agreements often involving cross-border elements. It has a strong client roster, including businesses across the retail, property, energy and financial sectors. The team is regularly called upon to advise on commercial arrangements in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
  3. CMS
    2
    CMS
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    CMS is recognised in the market for significant strength in handling technology-related commercial transactions. The team acts for an impressive client list across a wide range of mandates including technology licensing and advertising contracts. It offers particular expertise in the retail sector.
  4. DLA Piper LLP
    2
    DLA Piper LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper has a well-established global practice that is skilled in handling a range of complex and strategic commercial matters. It has considerable strength in acting for market-leading clients in the pharmaceutical, financial, food and beverage, manufacturing and hospitality sectors. The team is experienced in advising on collaboration agreements and strategic alliances. The firm utilises its broad network of offices to advise on cross-border negotiations.
  5. Hogan Lovells
    2
    Hogan Lovells
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells has a well-regarded commercial practice that is made up of a dedicated team of experienced practitioners. The department is noted for its skill acting on strategically significant agreements and transactions for multinational clients across a range of industries. It has strength in the pharmaceutical, banking, TMT and automotive spheres. The team is also experienced in advising on manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and supply arrangements.
3

Band 3

  1. Ashurst
    3
    Ashurst
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Ashurst is a well-regarded practice that has a strong focus on commercial contracts. The team advises clients on a variety of issues relating to commercial transactions and strategic ventures. It regularly handles high-value mandates pertaining to supply, manufacturing and distribution contracts across industries including retail, transport and telecommunications.
  2. Bird & Bird
    3
    Bird & Bird
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Bird & Bird is recognised in the market for its substantial strength in handling IT-related commercial transactions. The team also acts for an impressive client list across a wide range of mandates, including collaboration agreements, supply chain contracts and advertising matters. It has particular expertise in the sport and retail sectors.
  3. Charles Russell Speechlys
    3
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Charles Russell Speechlys has a respected team that offers a wide range of commercial advice in relation to key contracts and strategic alliances. The team represents clients across a range of sectors, including retail and sport.
  4. Dentons
    3
    Dentons
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Dentons maintains a widely recognised practice with dedicated commercial practitioners and an international presence. It exhibits strength across a range of industries including TMT, finance services, retail and healthcare. The team regularly advises on strategic partnerships and commercial joint ventures.
  5. Lewis Silkin
    3
    Lewis Silkin
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Lewis Silkin advises on complex commercial contracts in sectors including retail, advertising and technology. Its team is adept at representing clients ranging from blue-chip companies to startups. It exhibits strength in the negotiation of manufacturing and distribution agreements as well as commercial joint ventures.
  6. Pinsent Masons
    3
    Pinsent Masons
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Pinsent Masons has a strong commercial practice with expertise across the technology, manufacturing and energy sectors. It regularly acts for higher education and sport industry clients on strategically significant commercial matters. The team is experienced in advising multinational companies on high-value and cross-border issues, such as contractual analysis and the drafting of services agreements.
  7. Slaughter and May
    3
    Slaughter and May
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Slaughter and May has a broad practice with experience of advising clients across the full gamut of commercial contracts matters. It acts for an impressive list of high-profile and household-name clients. The team is experienced in handling cross-border matters.
  8. Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Osborne Clarke LLP
    4
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Osborne Clarke provides robust expertise in the negotiation and review of contractual frameworks, particularly with regard to manufacturing and supply agreements. The team is capable of handling substantial one-off commercial transactions as well as providing continuing support to businesses. It has key experience in the energy, TMT, retail and life sciences sectors.
  2. Shoosmiths LLP
    4
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years Ranked
    Shoosmiths has a regional and national commercial practice that acts for a broad range of high-profile clients. It demonstrates expertise across the financial services, retail and automotive sectors, among others. The team regularly advises on a wide range of business-critical matters for clients, including supply and services contracts, technology solutions and collaboration agreements.
  3. Stephenson Harwood LLP
    4
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    Stephenson Harwood brings broad expertise across a range of high-value, business critical commercial transactions. The team offers considerable strength in the life sciences, technology and manufacturing spheres. It is experienced in matters including drafting and negotiating contracts, as well as supply and franchise arrangements.
  4. Eversheds Sutherland
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 4
  5. TLT LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Bristows LLP
    5
    Bristows LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Bristows routinely engages in a range of complex commercial contract issues. The team has expertise in representing clients from a variety of areas, such as pharmaceuticals, retail and food and beverage, and is well placed to assist on mandates with cross-border elements.
  2. Farrer & Co LLP
    5
    Farrer & Co LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 11 Years Ranked
    Farrer & Co is acknowledged for its strength in the arts, sport, media and educational sectors. The firm is noted for acting for an impressive client roster on high-value and strategically significant commercial transactions. It provides advice on both one-off commercial collaborations and agreements relating to long-term trading relationships. The team is active on transactions requiring significant cross-border coordination.
  3. Fox Williams LLP
    5
    Fox Williams LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked
    Fox Williams has significant experience in the negotiation, management and termination of commercial agreements. The firm exhibits considerable ability in supply, distribution and agency agreements. The team has strong expertise within the retail, manufacturing and hospitality sectors. It has notable experience in handling matters with complex cross-border aspects.
  4. Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
    5
    Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    Gowling WLG (UK) offers a range of commercial expertise, with particular strengths in the automotive, transport and life sciences sectors. The team acts for an array of notable clients spanning both the private and public sectors. The firm frequently handles matters with cross-border considerations.
  5. Stevens & Bolton LLP
    5
    Stevens & Bolton LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 9 Years Ranked
    Stevens & Bolton provide a broad range of advice to clients concerning high-value commercial contracts. The team is experienced in cross-border matters including large-scale trading agreements. It represents clients in a broad range of industries, including food and drink, retail, technology and life sciences.
  6. Walker Morris LLP
    5
    Walker Morris LLP
    Commercial Contracts
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    The experienced team at Walker Morris advises significant clients on a range of commercial contracts matters. The team efficiently assists with contract negotiations, outsourcing as well as distribution agreements. Moreover, the firm demonstrates clear expertise in handling high-value and cross-border acquisitions for prominent names.