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Payne Hicks Beach 
10 New Square Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3QG
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? 'Best client base, reputation and location. Best application system. Small number of trainees taken on each year'; 'because of its approach/attitude/friendliness/overall feel good factor when reading about it/investigating it and one of best firms in UK for area I was hoping to qualify into'; 'treated as individual'; 'distances itself from Magic Circle'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Compares very well. More responsibility than other firms and more client contact'; 'the work-life balance is excellent, friends are envious about how interesting (and high profile) some of my work is compared to their dull corporate slog'; 'ten times better. Incomparably better.'

Best thing about the firm? 'The location of the offices, the friendliness and fairness of the vast majority of the partners/assistants'; 'the people, everyone is very nice and very caring. There is a very human element to working here'; 'the people and the client base' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'With so few trainees there is a lack of regular organised social activities, and with the trainees spread out over the different departments, it can lead to one feeling somewhat isolated, especially in the early stages of the training contract'; 'the gates shut at 7pm and it is difficult to get out of the buildings without walking a long way round!'

Best moment? 'Meeting some very well-known people and spending all day with them at a mediation and having a really good time with them'; 'going before a Master on my own in only my second week'; 'helping to complete a big deal'; 'I enjoy it more every day'

Worst moment? 'A day of continuous photocopying'; 'haven't had one yet!', 'the beginning of the training contract when I was getting used to things'; 'working on bundles virtually through the night!'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Established in 1730, 'first-class outfit' Payne Hicks Beach combines traditional values with a forward-looking approach and an impressive client list. Its commanding position in private client and family law is complemented by a good reputation for dispute resolution, commercial property and employment. The firm offers other niche expertise in areas such as education and the hotels sector. Clients praise the lawyers here for being 'excellent communicators and very resilient'.


The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Administrative and public law; Education;Agriculture and estates; Family;Charities; Heritage property;Commercial property; Personal tax, trusts and probate.

The deals

Acting in HMRC v Trustees of the Nelson Dance Family Settlement; advising The Salvation Army, as well as a number of ecclesiastical and private grant-making charitable trusts on charity issues; recently secured a multimillion-pound settlement in a family dispute involving offshore trusts; handled many of the highest-profile divorce cases in recent years, with clients such as Sir Paul McCartney, the ex-wife of Thierry Henri (Claire Merry) and Professor Stephen Hawking.

The clients

High-net-worth individuals; London Oratory School; Professor Stephen Hawking; public and private companies.

The money

Highly commended - private client team of the year for high-profile divorce advice including to Sir Paul McCartney.


The Lex 100 verdict

Once again Payne Hicks Beach receives high praise from its trainees for almost every aspect of its training contract. They are happy with the quality of work, the client base, the reputation and the general feel of the firm. The location is 'beautiful' and the 'people are very caring and friendly'. So friendly, in fact, that the firm is a Lex 100 Winner for friendliness with the top score in the book. It is also a winner in the 'firm living up to expectations' and 'client contact' categories, with trainees praising their 'interesting, hands-on work and daily dealings with clients'. Trainees compare their experiences very favourably with peers at other firms, with one commenting: 'I have more responsibility at an earlier stage, the work/life balance is excellent and my friends are all envious of how interesting (and high profile) my work seems compared to their somewhat dull corporate slog'. There is no room to hide at Payne Hicks Beach, but the trainees appreciate that you are all known as individuals and 'there is a very human element to working here'. On the downside, the small number of trainees means there is only a limited pool of contemporaries to socialise with and trainees would like to see more organised social events. The only other grumble from these largely contented trainees relates to the gates shutting at 7pm, which 'makes it difficult to get out of the buildings without walking the long way round!' - but as the hours are generally so good, this does not happen very often. Payne Hicks Beach is an ideal choice for those seeking something a bit different to the big corporate model, offering as it does, a good range of commercial work alongside interesting private client matters.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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