Hamlins recognised as Leading Firm in Legal 500 2025 guide to UK Solicitors
Hamlins has maintained its status as a leading firm in the Legal 500 2025 guide to UK Solicitors.
This year’s guide spotlights 23 members of our outstanding team as Recommended Lawyers, and ranks 11 practice areas, demonstrating the depth and breadth of expertise within the firm.
Partners Chris Hutchings, Kate Andrews, Martin Ochs and Matthew Pryke are recognised as Leading Partners.
Partner and Head of our Employment practice, Penny Hunt, is individually recognised as a Next Generation Partner. Principal Associate, Laura Daly in our Commercial Disputes team is recognised as a Leading Associate.
Hamlins is acknowledged as “the benchmark and standard of exceptional service, delivered with integrity and kindness, and possessing within the team profound and poignant legal knowledge and experience.”
“Hamlins consistently prioritises our best interests, demonstrating a genuine commitment to our success and satisfaction. This blend of expertise, responsiveness and client-focused service distinguishes them in the legal field.’
Senior Partner, Joseph Holder, says:
“We are incredibly grateful to our fantastic clients for taking the time to provide such positive feedback. It is incredibly rewarding for all of us to read such high praise, and to acknowledge and celebrate the growing recognition of our practice areas and individual solicitors.”
Hamlins is listed in the following categories:
Media & Entertainment: Music
Leading partner / Practice head: Martin Ochs
Key lawyers: Callum Galbraith, Christopher Hutchings, Kirsty Lawrence
Specialist music firm Hamlins is a popular choice for music collecting societies, and has ample expertise in handling a variety of contentious claims brought forward by these societies. Music merchandising work is another key pillar of the practice and a core area of focus for practice head Martin Ochs, who leads on all High Court litigation involving music collecting societies. Another individual to note for contentious matters is Callum Galbraith, who handles royalty audit claims and disputes involving band names and management issues. The team also handles licensing rights for artists and assists with IP rights protection. Christopher Hutchings is a key contact for brand protection and reputation management mandates.
Reputation Management
Leading partner / Practice head: Christopher Hutchings
Key lawyers: Callum Galbraith, Ellen Gallagher, Lauren Twidale, Sarah Daniel
'Exceptionally strong in large-scale litigation', Hamlins’ media disputes department represents high-profile clients across print and digital media in significant defamation and privacy cases. The team also advises public and private figures on pre-publication issues, libel, and privacy law matters. The group is led by Christopher Hutchings, who is well regarded in the industry for his track record in precedent-setting libel actions, and praised for his 'fantastic judgement'. Callum Galbraith has significant experience in protecting the reputations and private lives of those in the public eye.
Hospitality & Leisure
Practice head: Ben Kilshaw
Key lawyers: Martin Ochs, John Leasure, Stephanie Brown, Matthew Pryke
Experienced in both domestic and cross-border mandates, Hamlins’ hospitality and leisure team regularly works with hotels, restaurants, leisure retailers, and cinema complexes on acquisitions, disposals, lease agreements, IP and trade marks. The team is led by Ben Kilshaw, who regularly advises on real estate transactions and non-contentious construction deals.
M&A Smaller Deals, £10m to £50m
Practice head: Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood
Key Lawyer: Roger Pointon
With expertise in private M&A and private equity investments, Hamlins’ corporate team continues to attract new clients, particularly from the sports and leisure sectors. Corporate transactions and secured lending specialist Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood heads up the group and is sought after by property investors, banks, and family offices for assistance on corporate acquisitions and real estate finance matters. The team also benefits from the aptitude of Roger Pointon, who concentrates on M&A, disposals, and joint ventures, as well as general corporate advisory.
Property Litigation
Leading partner / Practice head: Kate Andrews
Key lawyers: Sarah Finch
The property litigation group at Hamlins acts for an extensive array of clients, including landlords and tenants, developers, and asset managers. The team is well versed in tenant insolvency matters, rights to light matters, forfeiture proceedings, and break notices. The ‘exceptional’ Kate Andrews oversees the practice and handles restrictive covenant disputes, dilapidations, and service charge issues. ‘Superb’ Sarah Finch is recommended for her work across the commercial property litigation spectrum, with an illustrated specialism in issues concerning leasehold enfranchisement and blocks of flats.
Sport
Leading partner / Practice head: Matthew Pryke
Key lawyers: Christopher Hutchings, Katie Bentley
Representing an established multi-jurisdictional client base comprising governing bodies, sports media businesses and high-profile sportspeople, Hamlins is labelled as being ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’. The ‘simply brilliant’ Matthew Pryke heads the practice, being an expert in commercial arrangements and regulatory issues; Christopher Hutchings predominantly focuses on media-related matter. Katie Holloway is also recommended.
Commercial Property: Investment
Practice head: Mark Hurst
Key lawyers: Joseph Holder, John Leasure, Ben Kilshaw, Victoria Camfield, Hana Ghale
Working in tandem with construction and financing specialists, Hamlins offers a full-service real estate offering. The team advises on structuring and lending matters, and boasts particular expertise in the retail and leisure sectors. Mark Hurst leads the team, handling acquisitions, sales, and refinancings of large portfolios. Joseph Holder boasts an established residential investment practice, while John Leasure advises an impressive list of commercial property investors and developers.
Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright and Design
Practice heads: Martin Ochs, Matthew Pryke, Katie Pawlyn, Lauren Twidale
Key lawyers:
Operating for a range of clients in the media, entertainment, and music spaces, Hamlins LLP’s wide-ranging offering encompasses a full spectrum of IP rights, advertising issues, and licensing arrangements. The practice is jointly led by Matthew Pryke, who fields a strong practice in the media sector, and Martin Ochs, who bolsters the practice with his contentious capabilities.
Professional Negligence
Leading Associate: Laura Daly
Property Finance
Practice head: Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood
'An exceptional team which never disappoints', Hamlins advises a wide range of clients, including banks and developers, as well as high-net-worth family offices. Practice head Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood draws praise from clients ‘very approachable, professional, quick to respond and suggests alternatives’, leads the practice. Djumabaeva-Wood has strong experience in secured lending for real estate and corporate transactions. Joseph Holder regularly acts on investment and development loans.