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Independent Reports

Thursday, Mar-14, 2024

Fencer 7Independent Reports

Almost since its inception McCormicks has received recognition and praise for its work through various independent reports and awards.

The firm has featured in every edition of the two leading independent guides to the legal profession, the Legal 500 and Chambers (UK) and regularly receives acknowledgment of its expertise in Legal Experts, another independent guide to the profession.

In 2000 Peter McCormick was awarded an OBE for his services to charity in the New Years Honours List and he became the inaugural Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year at the Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year Awards. He was also named the General/Niche Practice Lawyer of the Year at the same Awards.

In 2003 the firm was voted Yorkshire Law Firm of the Year by the Yorkshire Law Society.

In 2008 Peter McCormick received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Business at the Ackrill Media Group Business Awards.

What the guides say about us...

Agriculture and Estates

"The 'highly competent' Peter McCormick advises several large estate clients and regularly advises individuals on agricultural tenancies and the sale of estate property." UK Legal 500

“This full service firm has a growing presence in the region for its estate work. Clients say ‘A small enough unit that it provides a really personal service, which is not dissipated as it goes down the line.’” Chambers UK

“This Harrogate firm has established an enviable reputation in estate management and rural property transactions. A particular specialism is the diversification of estate lands for commercial, development and sporting uses, including advising on niche shooting rights. It also acts for Estate Trustees and farming families on complex tax, trust and succession matters.” Chambers UK

“McCormicks provides commercial advice to trusts, landowners and estates. The ‘excellent’ team is ‘very efficient.’ It includes a number of ‘sound’ and ‘reliable’ commercial property and private client lawyers.”

Charities

“Peter McCormick – ‘He always knows exactly what he’s doing, and he’s one of the best we’ve worked with.’” Chambers UK

“Providing ‘a good service and appropriate guidance and advice.’” UK Legal 500

“Sources say ‘They are so helpful and explain matters in clear layman’s terms.’ Peter McCormick has an ‘impressively commercial overview of the sector.’” Chambers UK

“McCormicks has an exceptional team.” UK Legal 500

“The ‘first class’, ‘astute, commercial and efficient’ team at McCormicks provides a full range of services to charities and not-for-profit organisations nationally. Department Head, Peter McCormick, is ‘excellent’ and ‘provides wonderful support.’” UK Legal 500

“This Harrogate-based firm advises clients on the full spectrum of charities law, including tax, brand management, property, employment and the establishment of new charities. Clients say: ‘They respond quickly and always explain things in an easy-to-understand language.’” Chambers UK

“Clients are fulsome in their praise and appreciate that the firm understands the sector and takes the time to understand its clients: ‘They are always quick to respond to all forms of communication and give good and sound advice on all matters.’” Chambers UK

Commercial Litigation

“McCormicks has ‘almost unparalleled experience in the sports world.’ Peter McCormick is a ‘first-class litigator.’” UK Legal 500

Corporate Finance

"Renowned for his sports and media expertise, Peter McCormick of McCormicks is 'a great communicator and outstanding with client relationships.'" Chambers UK.

Crime and Fraud

"With a reputation for being 'a leader in North Yorkshire', this team deals with many significant criminal matters with recent notable cases including defending a youth arrested in relation to a serious arson plot and several other clients against allegations of murder. The firm also houses a corporate crime and risk unit that handles work including fraud matters, investigations and prosecutions by HM Revenue & Customs and the DTI, and civil tax investigations and tribunals. Recent highlights in this area include successfully representing a company director in allegations of theft and acting for a company being investigated by the Trading Standards Institute. Geoffrey Rogers has 'an excellent combination of experience and ability, allowing him to be at the cutting edge of criminal law in the region.'" Chambers UK

"McCormicks’ Geoffrey Rogers leads a team whose recent workload includes trading standards investigations, prosecutions by the DWP and HM Revenue & Customs and criminal cases involving substantial drug possession and murder. The team benefits from referrals from other law firms in the region." UK Legal 500

“This firm has been involved in some of the region’s most significant criminal cases. Geoffrey Rogers ‘is always well prepared and calm and has excellent knowledge of the law.’” Chambers UK

Employment

“Well known and appreciated for dispensing quality, strategically effective advice, this team has a ‘tremendous sense of direction and clarify of execution that drives cases to an effective conclusion.’” Chambers UK

“This team impresses clients with its astute, business-focussed advice. Clients say that the group provides London-quality advice at regional rates.” Chambers UK

“This group has vast experience in handling Tribunal matters, redundancies, senior employee settlements and compromise agreements. It is well regarded in the sports sector and acts for the Premier League on all aspects of its employment policy. Sources praise the group for its ‘great breadth of knowledge, common-sense approach and high quality advice.’” Chambers UK

“This team stands out for its ‘determined and thorough approach’ to advising corporate employers and individual employees.” Chambers UK

Family

“McCormicks has a ‘very strong practice’ acting for UK and international clients, including well-known celebrities.” UK Legal 500

“Its lawyers are widely considered to be ‘experienced and skilful; they are able to provide clients with sympathetic yet entirely realistic advice.’” Chambers UK

Media and Entertainment

"McCormicks’ Peter McCormick is experienced in media matters and receives regular instructions from Leeds United FC." UK Legal 500

“McCormicks’ Peter McCormick has an excellent reputation for contentious and non-contentious work across broadcasting, IP rights and sponsorship and for defamation complaints relating to print and broadcast media.” UK Legal 500

“The well-regarded Peter McCormick leads the team which handles both contentious and non-contentious work and acts for high-profile companies as well as individuals. The practice spans broadcasting, media, personal contracts, sponsorship, defamation and complaints relating to broadcasters and the press.” UK Legal 500

“McCormicks has established itself as one of the few English media firms outside London with a profile in the wider market.” Chambers UK

Professional Discipline

“This Professional Discipline team impresses clients with ‘its cooperative work ethic. The lawyers make you feel important and they prioritise your work.’” Chambers UK.

“Clients dub Peter McCormick ‘an intellectually clever, commercially astute lawyer who is very good to have on your side in a time of crisis.’ He applies his great depth of experience and legal knowledge in a calm and efficient manner.” Chambers UK

“Clients say the firm is ‘a very professional outfit with excellent credentials, contacts and knowledge.

Peter McCormick is known for his experience in sports law and has a reputation as being a powerful advocate of his client’s case. Clients say he is a ‘very commercial, straight-talking lawyer who is incredibly driven with a clear determination to succeed.’” Chambers UK

“Clients say ‘They don’t just lay down the law. The advice we receive is pragmatic, common-sense and fits with the environment we are working within. Peter McCormick offers clients an authentic understanding of sports regulation and is applauded by sources for infusing his advice with commercial sense.’” Chambers UK

“According to one source this team ‘does what is said on the tin.’ Peter McCormick is ‘thoroughly competent and absolutely responsive.’” Chambers UK

Sport

“Peter McCormick is ranked as a ‘star performer.’ This Harrogate-based team continues to operate on a national level for which a great deal of the credit must go to Peter McCormick, a solicitor whom clients simply could not praise enough. ‘A legend in the field of football’, he is extremely active for marquee client, the Premier League. ‘McCormick is an intellectually brilliant, commercially astute and hands-on lawyer – he’s as good as it gets’, proclaim happy clients. The team attracts praise for its commendable work ethic and excellent client skills: ‘these lawyers make you feel like you’re their priority – they’ll work day and night to get the job done.’” Chambers UK

“Offering ‘unrivalled industry knowledge in sport’, Peter McCormick at McCormicks continues to advise at the highest level in the football world.” UK Legal 500

“Peter McCormick is a star figure within the world of football.” Chambers UK.

“Peter McCormick at McCormicks is ‘an outstanding sports lawyer’ and a ‘striker who any informed client would choose to lead his team.’ Clients say the firm ‘punches way above its weight and is a true specialist in the field.’” UK Legal 500

“McCormicks maintains a well-respected team. Practice head Peter McCormick is ‘knowledgeable, reliable, helpful and authoritative.’” UK Legal 500

“Harrogate-based McCormicks is highly influential in the football sector. Market observers say: ‘They have a really thorough knowledge of football, both the market and the law.’ Clients say the firm is 'immensely responsive, very prompt, very quick, respond carefully to all the requests we’ve made.

Peter McCormick is a towering figure within football. Opponents, colleagues and clients alike are quick to attest to the value of the ‘practical common-sense advice’, provided by ‘a lawyer who not only understands football, but always sees the commercial realities as well.’” Chambers UK.

"McCormicks’ ‘excellent’ team has ‘unrivalled knowledge of football.’ The ‘very commercial’ Peter McCormick is highlighted for his ‘expertise’ and ‘sound advice.’” UK Legal 500

“This Harrogate-based team plays an integral part in the region’s sports sector. However it is the team’s work for the Premier League which marks it out as one of the country’s elite sports practices.” Chambers UK

“Peter McCormick is a prominent figure within sport, especially football. One client was highly impressed with his ‘very practical approach to commercial business – when I make big decisions, I run them past him. He’s so streetwise that while I know his expertise is in sports law, I feel confident asking him about anything!’” Chambers UK

Tax, Trusts, Wills and Estates

"McCormicks advises various trustees and estate owners on issues such as rationalisation, extension of property portfolios and tax planning. Clients include the Outward Bound Trust." The Legal 500

“McCormicks advises wealthy clients on complex and technical tax planning matters and has seen a growth in referrals from clients across the business community. The firm also handles special trust and probate litigation.” Legal 500

“This full service firm has a growing presence in the region for its estate work. Clients say ‘A small enough unit that it provides a really personal service, which is not dissipated as it goes down the line.’” Chambers UK

“This Harrogate firm has established an enviable reputation in estate management and rural property transactions. A particular specialism is the diversification of estate lands for commercial, development and sporting uses, including advising on niche shooting rights. It also acts for Estate Trustees and farming families on complex tax, trust and succession matters.” Chambers UK

“McCormicks provides commercial advice to trusts, landowners and estates. The ‘excellent’ team is ‘very efficient.’ It includes a number of ‘sound’ and ‘reliable’ commercial property and private client lawyers.” UK Legal 500

“Landed estate owners and successful business people regard McCormicks as a go-to group. The group is praised for its ‘all-round efficiency.’” Chambers UK

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