Consilia Legal is celebrating another fantastic year of recognition, with improved rankings for its Family and Employment teams, individual promotions in Chambers and Partners 2027, and continued success in The Legal 500.
The latest rankings reflect the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional legal advice, outstanding client service and practical, results-driven solutions.
With several solicitors climbing the rankings, new individual recognition and a first-time ranking for Family Mediation in London, there is plenty for the Consilia Legal team to celebrate.
Chambers and Partners 2027: A Year of Progress and Recognition
The publication of the Chambers and Partners UK 2027 rankings has brought excellent news for Consilia Legal, recognising the expertise of its individual lawyers and the strength of its teams.
Marie Walsh Climbs to Band 2 for Employment Law
Employment law specialist Marie Walsh has risen to Band 2 in the Chambers and Partners rankings, reflecting her reputation for providing straightforward, commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice.
One client testimonial perfectly captures Marie’s approach:
“I really rate Marie’s pragmatism, her no-nonsense straightforward approach and the fact that she won’t seek to argue weak or irrelevant points.”
This recognition highlights Marie’s ability to combine extensive legal knowledge with clear, practical guidance, helping clients navigate complex employment matters with confidence.
Family Law Team Rises to Band 3
Consilia Legal’s Family Law team has moved up to Band 3, recognising the department’s growing reputation and its collaborative, client-focused approach.
The team’s commitment to working together and ensuring clients benefit from the right expertise at every stage was particularly evident in this feedback:
“The department works exceptionally well as a team. From trainee solicitors through to senior solicitors, everyone was involved and contributed their expertise where needed. This collaborative approach meant nothing was missed, and I always felt the right level of experience was applied at each stage of my case.”
This endorsement is especially meaningful as it recognises the contribution of the entire department, from trainees through to senior solicitors, and the importance of teamwork in delivering an excellent client experience.
Laura Clapton Achieves Band 2 for Family Law and Band 1 for Mediation
There was further cause for celebration as Laura Clapton moved up to Band 2 for Family Law, while also securing a Band 1 ranking for Family Mediation.
Laura is one of just three mediators in Yorkshire to achieve Band 1 recognition, underlining her standing as a leading practitioner in the region.
Her combination of strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail and compassionate client care was reflected in this testimonial:
“Laura immediately grasped the wider context and gave me excellent advice in relation to the timing of my divorce. Subsequently she demonstrated a forensic approach to detail. Her correspondence was prompt and constructive. I always had the utmost confidence in her.”
Laura’s recognition reflects her continued dedication to helping individuals and families navigate challenging circumstances, both through traditional family law advice and alternative dispute resolution.
Claudia Gilham Joins the Chambers Rankings in Band 3
Another exciting development is the inclusion of Claudia Gilham in Band 3, adding to Consilia Legal’s growing number of individually ranked lawyers.
Claudia’s exceptional legal ability, forward-thinking approach and natural rapport with clients were praised in particularly memorable feedback:
“Claudia is a superstar, absolutely excellent. Incredibly sharp, always thinking ten steps ahead. I find her razor-sharp and she has an amazing sense of humour which makes clients feel at ease. She is also good at being sensitive, she has such flair with clients.”
This recognition is a fantastic achievement and testament to Claudia’s ability to combine technical excellence with empathy, sensitivity and a personable approach.
Continued Success in The Legal 500
The Chambers and Partners results follow further positive news earlier this month, when both Consilia Legal’s Family and Employment teams retained their rankings in The Legal 500.
The Legal 500 rankings provide another important endorsement of the firm’s expertise, with client feedback highlighting the professionalism, approachability and dedication of its lawyers.
Recognition for the Employment Team
The Employment team’s ability to deliver commercially sound advice while providing personal, reassuring support was reflected in this testimonial:
“Marie Walsh’s is great at combining a direct, no-nonsense approach with genuine support and reassurance. Her knowledge and experience instils confidence from the outset, and her guidance is always clear, pragmatic, and based on a strong understanding of the law and the client’s needs. Victoria Horner and Kieran Conlan also provide strong knowledge and understanding with a responsive and personal approach, ensuring that clients receive high-quality support at every stage.”
This recognition is a testament to the wider team’s commitment to providing accessible, responsive and high-quality employment law advice.
Laura Clapton Recognised for Pioneering Mediation and NCDR
The Legal 500 also recognised Laura Clapton’s contribution to the development of mediation and non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) in the region.
One testimonial stated:
“Laura Clapton has pioneered mediation and NCDR in the region and really stands out among the crowd. She genuinely believes in what she is promoting, which is inspiring for anyone who works alongside her.”
This praise reflects Laura’s longstanding commitment to promoting constructive, less adversarial ways of resolving family disputes and helping clients find solutions outside the courtroom wherever appropriate.
A New Milestone: Family Mediation Recognised in London
One of the most exciting developments in this year’s Legal 500 rankings is Consilia Mediation achieving recognition for Family Mediation in London for the first time.
This marks a significant milestone for the practice and demonstrates the growing reputation of its mediation services beyond Yorkshire.
The Legal 500 feedback particularly praised the expertise of Laura Clapton and Kelly Walters, as well as the team’s ability to combine specialist legal knowledge with effective mediation skills:
“Consilia Mediation is a standout mediation practice, distinguished by its lawyers who are fully qualified mediators, a critical credential when handling complex mediations, particularly in high-value financial matters. Laura Clapton and Kelly Walters are exceptional practitioners who seamlessly transition their legal expertise into the mediator role to deliver consistently strong outcomes. The team is recognized for its excellent client service and regularly receives outstanding feedback for achieving effective and pragmatic resolutions.”
This new recognition reinforces Consilia Mediation’s commitment to providing a highly skilled, professional and constructive alternative to court proceedings, particularly in complex financial and family matters.
A Reflection of Our People and Our Clients
These latest achievements represent much more than rankings and individual accolades. They reflect the dedication, expertise and collaborative spirit of the people who make up Consilia Legal.
From promotions in Chambers and Partners to continued Legal 500 recognition and new success in London, the results demonstrate the strength and growing reputation of the firm’s Family, Employment and Mediation services.
Perhaps most importantly, the testimonials highlight the qualities that matter most to our clients: clear advice, practical solutions, genuine empathy, attention to detail and confidence in the people representing them.
We are incredibly proud of Marie, Laura, Claudia and every member of our Family, Employment and Mediation teams for their contributions to these achievements.
We would also like to thank our clients and professional contacts for their continued trust, support and valuable feedback.
As Consilia Legal continues to grow, our focus remains unchanged: delivering exceptional legal advice with a personal, pragmatic and approachable service.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
Find Out How We Can Help
Whether you need specialist advice on a family law matter, support with an employment issue or assistance resolving a dispute through mediation, our experienced teams are here to help.
Contact Consilia Legal today to find out more about our Family Law, Employment Law and Mediation services.