Chambers & Partners has announced updates for the UK and UK Bar 2027 directory submissions cycle, including some important shifts that law firms and sets will want to know about.
More referees
Let’s start with the biggest change. Chambers UK (the solicitors guide) now accepts up to 30 referees per submission, up from the previous 20.
Yes, that’s a 50% increase. No, it doesn’t mean you have to use them all.
Chambers has been clear that 30 is the maximum, not the new benchmark. If you’re submitting fewer, that’s fine. You won’t be penalised, especially if they’re well-chosen.
For the UK Bar guide, the cap remains unchanged at 5 referees per barrister. Read the full update on referees here.
A few words of warning:
- Don’t pad your list just because you can. Be strategic.
- Use the extra slots to spotlight rising stars or broaden client coverage.
- Be realistic about client fatigue, especially if multiple departments are sharing contacts.
Banking & Finance in London gets an overhaul
This is one of the most significant structural changes we’ve seen in a while.
The Banking & Finance section for London is being rebuilt from the ground up. The old umbrella category is out. In its place is a new suite of tables, split by financing type and side.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Corporate Finance: Borrower/Sponsor
- Corporate Finance: Lender
- Leveraged Finance: Borrower/Sponsor
- Leveraged Finance: Lender
- Fund Finance (shortened name)
- Asset-Based Lending (entirely new)
Each of the first four tables will also be split into Big-ticket and Mid-market, based on deal values.
What does that mean in practice?
The new Corporate Finance section will highlight firms acting on corporate or investment-grade lending. Firms will be ranked separately depending on whether they work with borrower or lender clients, and whether their work sits in the Big-ticket or Mid-market range. Market conditions will always shape the numbers, but as a rough guide, deals above £500 million will typically be considered Big-ticket.
Meanwhile, the Leveraged Finance section focuses on sub-investment-grade lending, including sponsor-backed transactions and private equity-driven deals. Again, firms will be ranked by borrower/sponsor or lender side, and split into Big-ticket or Mid-market.
Asset-Based Lending is being introduced as a brand-new table, and will recognise firms acting across the UK (excluding Scotland and Northern Ireland) on ABL transactions. Submissions for this will open in the future, but the table will first appear with the 2026 rankings launch in October.
Lastly, Fund Finance remains a dedicated category. You’ll still be able to submit as usual, although the section is now simply called Fund Finance, rather than “Banking & Finance: Fund Finance”.
The submission deadline for these new tables is 26th November 2025.
Planning & Environment combine outside London
Chambers has been gradually merging Planning and Environment into a single Planning & Environment table for regional sections outside London.
If you’ve previously submitted separately to both (or weren’t sure which one to prioritise) you’ll now need to submit one regional entry covering your whole practice.
Crime in Northern Ireland now included in the UK Guide
Chambers is now accepting submissions for Crime in Northern Ireland as part of the UK solicitors guide. If you have a credible practice here, in defence, prosecution, or both, this is your chance to get yourself on the radar.
Key deadlines for Chambers UK And UK Bar 2027
We’ve pulled the relevant dates for you from Chambers & Partners full research schedule.
Chambers UK 2027 (Solicitors)
- 26th November 2025: First wave (includes new Banking & Finance tables)
- 4th February 2026: Main wave for most sections
- 1st April 2026: Final wave for remaining categories
Chambers UK Bar 2027
- 26th November 2025: First wave
- 4th February 2026: Remaining categories
Not sure where to begin with your Chambers 2027 submission?
If the directories process feels a bit overwhelming (or just keeps falling off the to-do list), you’re not alone. We’ve helped firms and chambers of all sizes get on top of submissions strategy and rankings.
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