A local law firm has underlined the quality of its work for clients across the Yorkshire and Humber region with accolades for the excellence of its people, services and systems in the latest edition of the profession’s most prestigious directory.

Rollits LLP, which marked its 180th anniversary this year, has again demonstrated the depth and breadth of its knowledge and expertise by securing recommendations in the 2022 edition of the UK Legal 500 for 14 areas of its work. A number of the firm’s practitioners also received individual recognition.

Ralph Gilbert, Managing Partner of the firm, which has offices in Hull and York, said: “The Legal 500 is one of the country’s foremost legal publications and we are therefore delighted that the firm continues to be highlighted for its expertise across so many different practice areas.

“The recommendations demonstrate the quality, strength in depth and expertise we have and are a tribute to the firm as a whole. We have been providing legal services for 180 years but these rankings are not about the past –  they show we are still going strong in the present and we are looking forward to the future with confidence.”

The Legal 500 has been ranking the best lawyers and law firms for more than 30 years, measuring against criteria which include technical ability available for the most complex and innovative work, individuals with the contacts at – and credibility with – the top clients, and in-depth capability beyond just star partners.

The research also takes into account the prestige of a firm’s clients, the firm’s reputation for handling complex and innovative deals, evidence of clear investment for the future in a particular practice area and a strong commitment to IT and the use of IT to improve client services.

In Hull and East Yorkshire, Rollits earned a tier 1 Legal 500 ranking in the categories of Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property and Employment

The listings recognise Chris Crystal in Commercial Property and John Flanagan in Corporate & Commercial as leading individuals, and Richard Field and Julian Wild as other key lawyers.

Noting the firm’s expertise in handling a range of corporate transactions and merger work, the report states: “The team acts for SMEs across the food and beverage sector and routinely handles acquisitions and governance issues for education sector clients.”

In Commercial Litigation, the Legal 500 editors highlight Rollits’ range of shareholder and partnership disputes, sale of goods and product liability cases, business protection and commercial contract disputes, and contentious regulatory issues.

It notes the contributions of Caroline Hardcastle, Ralph Gilbert, Christopher Drinkall and Andrew Digwood. It also identifies Jennifer Sewell and James Peel as next generation partners.

Across the Yorkshire and Humber region, Rollits is recognised in tier 2 for Agriculture & Estates, Charities & not-for-profit, Education, Social Housing and Family. It is listed in tier 3 for Health & Safety and Planning and in tier 4 for Intellectual Property, IT & Telecoms and Property Litigation.

Ralph said: “It’s pleasing to see that more than half of our lawyers working across the Hull and York offices were ranked in the latest Legal 500 and that the recognition for our work extended across a wide range of fields, particularly after a year which presented such enormous difficulties for our clients and their families.

“In many of the Yorkshire and Humber categories, Rollits is the only firm in Hull and East Yorkshire to be recommended and that is a reward for our cross-departmental approach, maximising our strength in depth to deliver a wrap-around, end-to-end service for clients.

“The Legal 500 team place great importance on commitment to invest, especially in IT, and it is certainly the case that the work which we have carried out in recent years put us in a strong position to maintain the quality of our services in the most challenging circumstances.

“The rankings are based entirely on feedback. They once again show that we have provided a first class service when clients have needed it most, and that we can be trusted to build on that.”