Ranking tables

Disputes (International & Cross-Border) | Global

UK

The Disputes (International & Cross-Border) rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across UK.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. A&O Shearman
    1
    A&O Shearman
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked
    The firm's highly regarded international disputes offering is predominantly driven by its reputable London office. It comprises a market-leading banking litigation practice readily instructed by global investment banks, private equity firms and hedge funds, and is particularly adept at benchmark manipulation claims. It also houses an impressive commercial litigation team, which frequently handles cross-border shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims. The firm also demonstrates international arbitration capability, with a solid track record of representing sovereign states and corporates in high-value investment treaty disputes. A&O Shearman's global network provides the ideal platform for multi-jurisdictional disputes, and with feet on the ground in key jurisdictions, the firm is also noted for its effective cross-office collaboration.
  2. Clifford Chance LLP
    1
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked
    An imposing presence in the international disputes space, Clifford Chance effectively combines an exceptional London office with an impressive global footprint to service its clients in a variety of cross-border cases. Its disputes offering is spearheaded by a market-leading banking litigation practice, well positioned to coordinate multi-jurisdictional class actions and misrepresentation disputes. The team works in tandem with its specialist forensic accounting team for litigation and investigatory work. The firm also has a notable commercial and corporate litigation team seasoned in sophisticated shareholder disputes and cross-border breach of contract cases. Additional expertise includes a fully fledged international arbitration practice, assisting clients with commercial and investor-state disputes, with a particular focus on construction arbitrations in Africa and the Middle East.
  3. Freshfields
    1
    Freshfields
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked
    The firm boasts a formidable global disputes team constituted by its strength and depth within the key jurisdictions, including Germany, France, Hong Kong and Singapore. The London office acts as a key body of expertise within that team, housing a leading corporate and commercial litigation group adept at handling cross-border shareholder disputes, as well as cases concerning contractual breaches and cyber crime. Freshfields remains an unquestioned leader in banking litigation, frequently representing investment banks and private equity firms in sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional litigation, including mis-selling claims and contentious trading issues. The firm is also sought after by clients to coordinate global antitrust actions and is globally recognised for its international arbitration practice.
  4. Hogan Lovells
    1
    Hogan Lovells
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked
    With an impressive international disputes offering, the firm has strong teams in key jurisdictions, spearheaded by a prominent London practice. The team is reputed for high-stakes commercial disputes with fraud elements, as well as contractual disputes. Hogan Lovells' lawyers are well-versed in multi-jurisdictional disputes in both the contentious regulatory and banking litigation spaces. The firm has experience representing CIS clients in large international fraud disputes. As well as collaborating effectively with its international offices, the firm has also built up a network of non-exclusive relationships in the offshore jurisdictions, including the Cayman and Channel Islands.
  5. Herbert Smith Freehills
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1
  6. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    2
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    Debevoise & Plimpton offers an exceptional multidisciplinary and international practice with notable capabilities in the global contentious space. The London office is an integral part of a closely coordinated global platform that includes colleagues from the firm’s US headquarters, as well as in Europe and Asia. For cross-border cases in jurisdictions beyond its office coverage, the firm is careful not to be part of a formal alliance or network but instead chooses to coordinate with local counsel based on personal relationships and recommendations as part of a bespoke and flexible selection process.
  2. Linklaters
    2
    Linklaters
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    Recognised as one of the most internationally-focused law firms in the UK, Linklaters offers an outstanding full-service practice in London, which is renowned for the quality of its international work throughout its wide-ranging scope of expertise. The London team has an elite reputation for coordinating both transactional and contentious cross-border matters and often acts as the driving force behind strategic advice on global mandates. The law firm's distinguished global platform is also noted as a key attraction to clients, extending the firm's reach across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa and various emerging markets.
  3. Slaughter and May
    2
    Slaughter and May
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    The law firm is renowned for acting for high-end corporate clients on a mixture of contractual, shareholder and financial disputes. It is noted for its ability to coordinate complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes from the UK in conjunction with an impressive network of foreign counsel. The firm also ensures that it can act for clients as a unified team with high-quality independent firms worldwide by regularly hosting seconded lawyers from those firms from other jurisdictions, adding to its pool of foreign law expertise.
  4. Latham & Watkins
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    3
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    As a US powerhouse with an established UK base, the law firm's international work from London is spearheaded by its leading international arbitration practice, renowned for representing financial institutions as well as clients in the energy and TMT sectors, in high-stakes commercial disputes. The team also acts for sovereign states and investors in complex investment treaty cases. The London office also houses a skilled commercial litigation team, particularly adept at shareholder disputes and matters concerning individuals based in Russia and the CIS region. Beyond its recognised transatlantic strength, Skadden is also picked out for its cross-border capabilities across the globe, with established offices in continental Europe and China.
  2. White & Case LLP
    3
    White & Case LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Renowned for its prominent international arbitration practice, the London office boasts considerable experience in disputes concerning large-scale infrastructure projects around the world. The law firm is also recognised for its arbitration activity in the CIS, notably within the energy, insurance and financial services sectors. Its litigation team enjoys a growing reputation in the London market, with a focus on representing investment banks in financial and capital markets-related disputes. White & Case utilises its extensive global network, along with effective cross-office and cross-practice coordination, to service its clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes.
  3. Simmons & Simmons LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Baker McKenzie
    4
    Baker McKenzie
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    The law firm's large, globally integrated practice has a particularly coordinated offering between its London, New York and Chicago teams to provide an effective cross-border service to its clients. The London office houses a notable banking team which regularly represents global financial institutions in multi-jurisdictional litigation and investigations. The law firm is also adept at defending multinational corporations against large-scale claims alleging product defects and safety issues, as well as advising on associated reputation and crisis management issues. Baker McKenzie also boasts a reputable arbitration team with particular expertise in construction and commercial development disputes concerning the Middle East and the CIS region. The firm is able to draw upon the local expertise of a wide array of countries, due to its impressively vast and much-vaunted global network.
  2. CMS
    4
    CMS
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Regarded as a highly-capable global practice, CMS provides a comprehensive service to international clients in areas such as M&A, dispute resolution, and banking and finance. The sector-oriented London team exhibits real strength advising clients from the energy, insurance, technology and life sciences spaces. Cross-border mandates are often coordinated from the UK, but the law firm also stands out for its excellent network of offices throughout continental Europe, which is strengthened by its presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
  3. DLA Piper LLP
    4
    DLA Piper LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    With a solid London presence that is bolstered by its vast global footprint, DLA Piper is suitably equipped to handle cross-border disputes originating in or outside the UK. Its banking litigation practice is experienced in mis-selling claims and fraud-related disputes. The law firm is additionally experienced in product liability matters, particularly within the food sector. International arbitration is another area in which the firm is experiencing a growing reputation globally, with the London office hosting a number of lead partners in the firm's integrated arbitration platform. It is particularly active in multi-jurisdictional disputes within the energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. Utilising its extensive network of offices, the team frequently engages in disputes arising from Africa, Europe, Central and South-East Asia and the Middle East.
  4. Norton Rose Fulbright
    4
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    The London disputes team has a notable cross-border focus and particular experience in securities disputes, consumer protection class actions and financial crime matters. Additionally, it is active in the commercial arena, with frequent instructions on shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims. Its client base includes global banks and sovereign wealth funds, and the firm is often tasked with multi-jurisdictional coordination, aided by its strong global network and regular cross-office cooperation.
  5. Stephenson Harwood LLP
    4
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    The firm is regularly instructed by global banks, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds on complex banking disputes concerning financial product mis-selling and benchmark manipulation. The team is additionally active in corporate and commercial litigation with cross-border aspects, including joint venture disputes and contract breach claims. Its lawyers act for high net worth individuals and multinational corporations, and they are highlighted for their experience in handling cross-border claims with clients based overseas.
  6. Three Crowns LLP
    4
    Three Crowns LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Three Crowns is a compact and dedicated international arbitration boutique with a global reputation and a near-exclusive focus on high-end disputes. The law firm's global practice is spearheaded by offices in London and Paris and supported by additional teams in Singapore and Washington, D.C. The highly rated London team consists of lawyers with extensive experience of handling international cases across a broad range of jurisdictions far beyond their main base. They are focused on commercial and investor-state arbitration with added strength in Latin America.
  7. Eversheds Sutherland
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4
  8. Macfarlanes LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4
  9. Travers Smith LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4
  10. WilmerHale
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    5
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is an international firm with strong US foundations. Its offices across Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York play vital coordinating roles in multi-jurisdictional proceedings, supported by strategically-located teams in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Clients also benefit from Gibson Dunn’s sharp sector focus; its practitioners are accustomed to advising tech giants and energy multinationals on complex global mandates.
  2. Jones Day
    5
    Jones Day
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 5 | 5 Years Ranked
    Jones Day offers renowned cross-border capabilities to international clients for a mixture of transactional and contentious matters. The London team is particularly seen working in conjunction with the firm's US-based teams and also gives clients access to a broad global presence spanning across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. While it offers a broad practice in London, civil fraud and corporate litigation are among the key areas of the UK team's international activity.
  3. Reed Smith LLP
    5
    Reed Smith LLP
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    The firm is highly regarded for its disputes practice, which regularly assists clients on complex cross-border cases. The team is adept at handling a range of contentious matters, including banking litigation and international arbitration. Its practitioners work with clients from a plethora of industries and are experienced in advising on mandates arising from the technology and banking sectors.
  4. Ashurst
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 5
  5. RPC
    Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
    2024 | Band 5