Client feedback secures Primas Law’s Legal 500 rankings

Primas Law has once again been recognised as a Leading Law Firm in the Legal 500 2026 edition, with multiple departments ranked based on independent client feedback and case outcomes.

The Legal 500 rankings are compiled through direct interviews with clients and detailed submissions of casework, making them a practical indicator of how well a firm actually delivers. For businesses looking for legal support, these rankings cut through the noise – they’re based on what clients say about working with us, not what we say about ourselves.

For us, the recognition is not about titles or lists – it’s about what sits behind them. The rankings demonstrate what our clients already know: that we’re a pragmatic team who focus on straight-forward advice, real-world solutions, and client satisfaction above everything else.

Why this matters

Since being founded in 2013, our ethos has been clear: quality as the priority. That means responsive service, transparent pricing, and senior lawyers who work as genuine partners to the businesses we advise.

Adam Kerr, Managing Partner of Primas Law, said:
“These rankings are an independent confirmation that our way of working – putting people, partnership and practical advice first – delivers the outcomes clients value. That’s what really matters to us.”

As the legal landscape grows more complex, these accreditations provide reassurance that the firm you choose has been tried, tested and recognised at the highest level. For our clients, it’s another signal that when they come to us, they’re in capable hands.

What Legal 500 and our clients said about us

Corporate and Commercial Law:

Home to ‘experienced and knowledgeable people’, Primas is jointly overseen by Gary Black and Barney Leaf. Black’s broad caseload encompasses acquisitions, disposals, and commercial contracts, while Leaf is highly knowledgeable of venture capital and private equity funding. Other key members of the practice include John McDermott.

Client Testimonials:

• ‘They a number of experienced and knowledgeable people, at all levels of qualification. All people I have spoken to there are intelligent individuals with common sense. Work is completed quickly and with practical and realistic solutions. Most law firms seem to miss this basic requirement. Primas is a very professional and impressive law firm.’
• ‘Barney Leaf is the principle corporate solicitor I have used over the last 20 years. He has worked for me on many different maters, and I value not only his technical knowledge but his commercial knowledge. He understands what’s important, how to solve problems and what to focus on while cutting out the “ noise” of irrelevant matters that so often seems present in corporate transactions. He understands how to get to the right solution and then to close the matter off quickly.’

Commercial Litigation

Primas represents a range of leading global car manufacturers in high-stakes commercial disputes. Team head Daniel Thomas plays a pivotal role in maintaining the firm’s strong industry ties and is highly experienced in securing injunctive relief. Carl Sebastian and Lauren Steel-Smith specialise in complex commercial litigation, while the team expanded further with the arrival of Alistair Gregory from Beyond Corporate Law in June 2024.

Client Testimonials:

• ‘Great team. Passionate on the job. Very focused.’
• ‘Carl Sebastian and Daniel Thomas – Very professional and calm manner during the case and the mediation.’
• ‘Primas is a fantastic commercial firm based in the North West; however, their experience, quality, and professionalism mean they enjoy a far wider catchment.’
• ‘Daniel Thomas – Daniel is a partner and head of the litigation team. He carries with him years of experience in litigation and is a real heavyweight in the industry. He manages corporate clients well and is practical and realistic in his advice. An excellent lawyer with real commercial sensibilities.’

Employment

The employment group at Primas, based in Manchester and Cheshire, boasts a broad offering that spans restrictive covenant breaches and unfair dismissal claims, including those brought following or during maternity leave. The team also advises ex-employees alleged to have been treated unfairly as a result of their mental health. David Walton, with significant experience handling senior executive departures, oversees the team. Maternity sector specialist Danielle Ayres provides day-to-day advice on terminations, recruitment, contractual issues and negotiations, while clients ‘cannot say enough good things’ about Holly Navarro.

Client Testimonials:

• ‘Primas Law’s team provided invaluable support during my employment tribunal claim. Their expertise, responsiveness, and clear, practical advice made a challenging process much easier to navigate. They took the time to understand my situation and developed a tailored strategy, ensuring I felt informed and supported every step of the way.’
• ‘What sets them apart is their personalised approach—they combine strong legal knowledge with a genuine commitment to their clients. They are also innovative, using tech to improve efficiency, ensuring transparency in billing, and promoting diversity within their practice. Their combination of legal expertise, strategic thinking, and dedication to client service makes them a trusted and reliable choice for employees and unions facing employment challenges.’
• ‘We have found Primas to be an exceptionally helpful and proficient firm of solicitors, consistently delivering a high standard of service. Their team is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also highly accessible, ensuring that any queries or concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently. Primas has a client-focused approach.’
• ‘They make legal processes feel more manageable, offering reassurance and confidence at every step. They demonstrate a modern and flexible approach and their client-centric ethos reinforces their reliability.’

Insolvency and corporate recovery

Primas remains an active player in the insolvency and restructuring space, with experience covering distressed business and asset sales and representation in contentious directors’ duties disputes. Practice head Christopher Love specialises in contentious insolvency matters, while in the team Stuart Beatson handles the full range of advisory work, including turnaround strategies, asset recovery and property issues.

Client Testimonials:

• ‘Primas is a boutique law firm that offers commercial advice to clients.’
• ‘Stuart Beatson is strong technically and offers commercial advice.’

Real Estate / Commercial Property

Primas advises on high-profile developments, acquisitions and disposals, with a growing presence in the North West market. Manchester-based practice head Simon Baxter is a key name for real estate finance and secured lending. Tim Dillon acts for developers on residential and mixed-use schemes, while Yasar Kaushal is also central to the team’s ongoing transactional work.

Client Testimonials:

• ‘Primas have been our solicitors approaching eight years. Their understanding of the affordable housing sector in which we operate, and the support and guidance we have received across the Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial team, has been instrumental in every deal we have done.
• ‘We consider them a key partner in the future of our business.’

Find out more about all of the leading legal services we offer to businesses – primaslaw.co.uk.what-we-do/