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IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) 
Capital Court 30 Windsor Street Uxbridge UB8 1AB
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 2 users (Register to add this entry to your favourites)

The trainee verdict

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The lowdown (in their own words...)


Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Diversity of work, ambition and expansion into new areas'; 'the range of seats from corporate and commercial to legal aid clients'; 'personable staff - partners are friendly and approachable, reputation as an 'up and coming' firm'; 'personality and previous experiences are as important as pure academic ability'; 'good range of practice areas and choice of seats'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Probably more client contact and hands-on experience'; 'more varied and more supervision'; 'I see the light of day whereas my friends in the City regularly have to cancel plans and work through the night'; 'I have greater autonomy than most of my peers at large City firms'; 'I work shorter hours. My training seats are more structured'

Best thing about the firm? 'Featuring as an integral part of the team. Client facing. Free drinks trolley on a Friday afternoon! Trainees are not forced to over-specialise'; 'the people, good quality training, partners refer to you as a colleague rather than the trainee, feel valued and appreciated'; 'the choice of practice areas'; 'the hours' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'The location'; 'the money'; 'the brand does not resonate as I believe it should amongst other firms'; 'Uxbridge is not a place you would want to live as a young trainee, you pay London rent for a regional salary'; 'very limited parking availability for employees in the Uxbridge office'

Best moment? 'Assisting with child care cases in the High Court'; 'being thanked by partners, other solicitors and the client'; 'the Christmas party'; 'settling a personal injury claim and getting more money for the client than expected'; 'representing one of the firm's largest clients on the sale of properties at a number of sites in the South East'

Worst moment? 'Paginating enormous trial bundles'; 'a partner throwing documents at me'; 'difficult clients'; 'not being supported in stressful situations and just being left in the office to deal with it'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

IBB is one of the largest practices in the South East outside central London. It delivers partner-led legal services to an extensive business and private client community. Commercial property is an area of particular strength, while the corporate and commercial department is also growing. There is further expertise in fields ranging from white-collar crime to public childcare law to matrimonial law. Clients say the firm 'represents a good balance of professional service and cost'. The offices are in Uxbridge, Chesham and Ingatestone


The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Charities; Employment;Commercial litigation; Family;Commercial property; Personal injury (claimant);Corporate and commercial; Personal tax, trusts and probate;Crime; Property litigation.

The deals

Advised Trans-Siberian Gold Plc on its £7m AIM share listing, as well as its associated conversion of $8m of existing debt facilities; advising Sony on a claim arising from the supply of second-hand grey market goods; successfully defended a whistle-blowing claim remitted to the Employment Tribunal; charities partner appointed sole English representative on the board of directors of the Mercy International Association.

The clients

Adventis; Aviva; Baker Tilly; Bellway Homes; Dolce & Gabbana; Domino's Pizza; HBOS; Patek Philippe; Renault; Universal Pictures.

The money


The Lex 100 verdict

IBB is popular with a wide variety of candidates because of its 'broad-minded approach to recruitment'. So if you haven't followed a traditional career path or are considering law as a second career this large South East practice is well worth a look. 'Personality and previous experiences are as important here as pure academic ability' comments one trainee and 'all the partners are friendly and approachable'. Trainees believe their firm has an 'up and coming reputation', with a wide variety of work and increasing expansion into new areas. The clients are also wide-ranging and trainees get to experience a mix of corporate and commercial matters as well as work for legal aid clients so the firm is also a good choice if you are unsure about which route will suit you. Those looking for early responsibility and autonomy will not be disappointed, as one trainee comments: 'advice and support from partners is available when necessary but those who demonstrate ability and determination to pursue matters with a high level of autonomy will thrive at this firm'. Trainees feel valued here, partners 'refer to you as a colleague, rather than 'the trainee'' and the firm is keen to 'involve you in all aspects of the job including marketing'. On the downside, the location and the pay 'could be better' and 'the brand does not resonate as I believe it should among other firms within the profession'. However for a broad and varied training contract in a down-to-earth, open-minded firm, IBB is definitely worth a look.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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