Methodology
9,000
law firms send their submissions to us every year
62,000
total submissions received by Chambers annually
350,000
interviews and surveys conducted every year
Chambers has the most transparent and rigorous methodology in the market, say 82% of law firms and 78% of in-house counsel
We conduct research in 200 jurisdictions globally, collecting information in 24 different languages. Our intelligence uses 22 million data points to deliver the most complete picture available.
Step 1: Starting a submission
Why submit to Chambers?
A Chambers submission is your opportunity to tell us directly why your firm deserves a ranking. This is your chance to showcase your department's experience and expertise.
Am I eligible to submit?
Chambers ranks the best legal talent globally. Whether you're a global, boutique or local firm, we invite you to submit to Chambers if your firm is doing excellent work.
When do I need to submit?
Deadlines are dependent on practice area and location, all of which can be found in our research schedule.
What’s included in a Chambers submission?
In a Chambers submission we ask for:
- General department information
- Individual lawyer nominations
- Work highlights from the last 12 months
- Referees to attest to your work
The information you supply directly influences our ranking decisions.
Do I need client references?
Our rankings are based on real interviews with your specified references. A reference contact can be a client or anyone who has experience and knowledge of you and your firm over the last 12 months. It's as simple as that.
Discretion is guaranteed. We don’t disclose the identity of our interviewees and any quotes we publish are always fully anonymised.
Step 1
Starting a submission
Step 2
The research process
Step 3
Our analysis and decision
Step 4
Recognition
Step 2: The research process
Transparent, rigorous and trusted
Our 330-strong research team conducts over 350,000 interviews and surveys, covering 9,000 firms annually. Communicating in more than 24 languages, reviews every submission and conducts selected interviews with your supplied references.
Highly experienced research directors oversee the work, ensuring that our tried-and-tested process delivers unrivalled results.
Step 3: Our analysis and decision
As well as your submission, we collect other information including reference feedback, client satisfaction indices, reputation in the market, peer knowledge and other discreet independent market sources.
Sending a submission does not guarantee a ranking
While every submission is reviewed and assessed, only the best firms, departments and lawyers earn a Chambers ranking.
Rankings for lawyers and law firms
Individual lawyers can be ranked while their law firm is not and similarly law firms can be ranked while individual lawyers are not. The choice of submission is yours.
What criteria inform our ranking decisions?
- Evident legal ability
Demonstration of expertise and experience in the selected practice area and jurisdiction.
- Recognised client service
Evidence of responsiveness, speed of action, clarity in communication and opinions that are both decisive and informative.
- Calibre of bench
Evidence of an ability to support client needs right across the team from associate to senior partner.
- Commercial awareness
A demonstrable understanding of connecting specific legal issues to clients’ business success and long-term prosperity in their industry.
- Demonstration of diligence
Proof of exceptional attention to detail and exemplary standards of professional conduct.
- Cost effective
Examples of organisational efficiency and innovation that save clients time and money.
The final decision
The entire Chambers team involved in the assessment, from researchers to research directors, meets to analyse the findings and determine the final ranking tables.
Useful links
Step 4: Recognition
How to find out if you’ve been ranked
If you’re successful in achieving a ranking, we’ll notify you at the end of the research period. Firms with a Chambers My Account will be able to log in and see a complete list of their lawyers and departments ranked in the upcoming guide.
We’ll also publish a complete list of lawyers and departments of firms that have been ranked at the end of the research period.
Questions about our research process or methodology?
We invest significantly in our research and pride ourselves on understanding the profession, and how it is changing and cover new emerging topics and regions. If you have any questions on the research, please visit our FAQs or contact [email protected]