Bell Gully tops global guide law firm rankings

Wednesday 1 February 2006

Bell Gully has topped the New Zealand law firm rankings for a consecutive year in a leading international legal publication.

The just released 2005/06 Chambers Global Guide shows Bell Gully has achieved the most No.1 ranked practice areas and ranked partners among the New Zealand law firms listed.

It is the second year that the firm has led the field in results published by the UK-based independent researcher.

Bell Gully has a No.1 ranking in four of the five practice areas covered by Chambers Global - banking and finance; corporate/M&A; dispute resolution; and tax. Bell Gully is also the only New Zealand firm to receive a top tier  ranking in the corporate/M&A practice area. The result comes on the heels of legal publisher Thomson Financial's 2005 rankings, which show Bell Gully as the highest ranked New Zealand firm in mergers and acquisitions for the third consecutive year.

Chambers Global quotes Bell Gully clients and leading practitioners from other New Zealand law firms in its research. Comments include: "'A damned fine firm with a substantial client base' and a 'good culture' after more than 160 years in business the Bell Gully brand is thriving."

In commenting on Bell Gully's litigation expertise Chambers Global says: "Competitors freely admit: 'It is probably the number-one firm and has had more top litigation than other firms in the past year'."

Bell Gully Chief Executive Stephen Macliver says, "Chambers Global is an external and completely independent guide based on the views of the market, clients and other law firms, particularly in the international marketplace.  We are absolutely delighted to receive this feedback on our services and to have retained our No. 1 ranking in New Zealand.

"This is both an important acknowledgement of our determination to deliver the very best outcomes for our clients, whilst also further validating our vision to be clearly recognised as the leading law firm in New Zealand.

"The recognition of our partners by both clients and their peers in a forum such as Chambers is a privilege and an honour.  We are proud of our achievements and our focus as a firm to have the best people, working with the best clients, on the best work," says Stephen. 

The Chambers Global Guide 2005/06 results are as follows: