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Fladgate
An independent London law firm recognised for its corporate M&A, real estate, private wealth and commercial disputes expertise, with a particular focus on entrepreneurs, investors and privately owned businesses.
About Fladgate
Fladgate is an independent London law firm with a history dating back to 1760, when George Stubbs established the practice from which the modern firm developed. The Fladgate name was introduced in 1835, and the firm has since grown into a substantial commercial practice headquartered in Covent Garden. Today, Fladgate has more than 100 partners advising entrepreneurs, private investors, family offices, financial institutions and businesses ranging from emerging companies to multinational organisations. Its principal strengths include corporate M&A, real estate, private capital, commercial litigation, construction and private wealth. Unlike international law firms operating through extensive overseas office networks, Fladgate maintains a single London office while advising clients on matters with significant international dimensions. The firm's approach centres on combining commercial and personal legal advice, particularly for entrepreneurs and business owners whose professional investments and private wealth arrangements are closely connected. Its client base spans sectors including technology, hospitality, financial services, real estate and infrastructure.
Fladgate recruits approximately six to eight trainees annually into a two-year training contract comprising four six-month seats. The programme provides experience across the firm's commercial and private client departments, with opportunities to work in areas such as corporate M&A, real estate, dispute resolution, construction, employment and private wealth. Trainees undertake practical legal work from the beginning of their training contracts, including drafting documents, conducting research, assisting with transactions and communicating with clients where appropriate. The firm provides a structured induction, department-specific workshops and professional skills training, alongside regular opportunities to develop commercial awareness. Each trainee receives a supervisor, mentor, trainee buddy and dedicated Early Careers contact, with formal performance reviews taking place every three months. Fladgate's relatively small intake allows trainees to build close working relationships with partners and associates while gaining responsibility for substantive legal tasks. International and client secondments are not advertised as standard features of the programme.
Fladgate covers the full cost of the PGDL and SQE preparation programme through its exclusive training provider, the University of Law. Future trainees receive an annual £7,000 maintenance grant while studying in London or £6,000 outside London, providing financial support alongside the firm's sponsorship of course fees. The firm does not reimburse courses completed before a training contract offer and does not sponsor alternative training providers. Candidates may complete the SQE part-time, provided they finish their studies before their agreed training contract start date. Once employed, trainees receive 26 days of annual leave, private medical cover, life assurance, pension contributions, income protection and access to an interest-free season ticket loan. The firm also supports professional development through supervised client work, internal training and mentoring arrangements designed to help trainees develop the skills required for qualification.
Practice areas & rankings
In the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, Fladgate achieved 14 departmental rankings and 24 individual lawyer recognitions, reflecting its strengths in corporate transactions, real estate, family law and specialist commercial disputes. The firm received Band 1 rankings for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 Million and Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth in London, alongside Band 2 recognition for Real Estate: £50–150 Million. Its national practices achieved Band 3 rankings for Infrastructure: PFI/PPP and Insurance: Mainly Policyholders, while its capital markets, hotels and leisure, venture capital and real estate litigation teams also received recognition. Individually ranked lawyers include Simon Kanter and Nicola Kravitz, both recognised at Band 1 for real estate, and Rebecca Cockcroft, ranked Band 1 for ultra-high-net-worth family finance. The firm's results demonstrate its particular expertise in advising entrepreneurs, investors and wealthy individuals on interconnected business and personal legal matters.
Fladgate's family practice received Family Team of the Year at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2025, recognising its work advising high-net-worth clients on complex matrimonial and financial matters. The team also achieved Band 1 recognition in Chambers UK 2026 for Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth. Partner Joshua Moger previously won Family Lawyer of the Year (Partner) at the Citywealth Future Leaders Awards 2024. These awards reflect the firm's established position in private wealth and family law, particularly its experience handling disputes involving substantial business interests, international assets and complex financial arrangements.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Corporate M&A is one of Fladgate's principal commercial practices, with the firm ranked Band 1 for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 Million in London in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises entrepreneurs, privately owned businesses, investors and established companies on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. Its expertise is particularly relevant to mid-market transactions involving owner-managed businesses, where legal advice must account for the commercial objectives and personal interests of shareholders. The practice also supports venture capital investments and corporate financing arrangements, working closely with the firm's tax, employment and commercial specialists. Fladgate's international relationships enable its lawyers to advise on transactions involving overseas investors and businesses, while its London-based structure allows clients to work directly with experienced corporate advisers.
Fladgate's real estate practice is ranked Band 2 for Real Estate: £50–150 Million in London in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its expertise in commercial property investment and development. The team advises institutional investors, property developers, landlords, businesses and private investors on acquisitions, disposals, leasing arrangements and development projects. Its work spans office, retail, hospitality and mixed-use properties, alongside transactions involving substantial investment portfolios. The practice is supported by specialist lawyers in construction, planning, real estate finance and property disputes, allowing clients to obtain advice throughout the property investment lifecycle. Partners Simon Kanter and Nicola Kravitz are individually ranked Band 1 in their respective London real estate categories, demonstrating the strength of the firm's senior property lawyers.
Fladgate's family practice is ranked Band 1 for Family/Matrimonial Finance: High Net Worth in London in Chambers UK 2026, with additional Band 5 recognition for Family/Children Law. The team advises high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and families on divorce, financial settlements, prenuptial agreements and disputes involving children. Its expertise is particularly relevant to cases involving complex business ownership, trusts, offshore assets and international financial arrangements. The practice works closely with the firm's private wealth, tax and corporate teams, allowing clients to receive coordinated advice where matrimonial disputes affect family businesses or investment structures. Partner Rebecca Cockcroft is individually ranked Band 1 for ultra-high-net-worth family finance, while Joshua Moger and Catherine Costley are also recognised in the 2026 guide. The team won Family Team of the Year at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2025.
Fladgate's construction practice is ranked Band 5 for both Construction: Contentious and Construction: Non-contentious in London, alongside Band 3 for Infrastructure: PFI/PPP nationally in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises developers, contractors, investors and project companies on construction contracts, procurement arrangements and disputes arising from major developments. Its non-contentious lawyers assist with drafting and negotiating project documentation, while its disputes specialists handle claims involving defective works, delays, payment obligations and contractual disagreements. The infrastructure practice has particular experience advising investors and project companies on PFI and PPP arrangements, including contract variations, asset upgrades and termination issues. Its work spans education, housing and street-lighting infrastructure, demonstrating expertise in projects involving long-term public and private sector relationships.
Fladgate's disputes practice advises businesses, investors and high-net-worth individuals on complex commercial litigation, international arbitration and civil fraud matters. The firm is ranked Band 5 for Fraud: Civil in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its experience handling disputes involving allegations of dishonesty, misrepresentation and the recovery of assets. Its lawyers advise on contractual disagreements, shareholder disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty and litigation involving international parties. The practice has particular expertise in obtaining urgent court remedies, including freezing injunctions, and coordinating proceedings involving assets or defendants across multiple jurisdictions. Partners Sophia Purkis and Joel Seager are individually recognised for civil fraud, while the firm's wider litigation team handles disputes affecting financial institutions, property businesses and entrepreneurs.
The application process
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Fladgate recruits trainees exclusively through its one-week summer vacation schemes, with applications for the 2027 schemes opening on 29 October 2026 and closing on 18 January 2027. Successful applicants are considered for training contracts commencing in 2029. The firm welcomes applications from law and non-law graduates, including candidates with non-traditional academic backgrounds. The firm uses the Real Rating Contextual Recruitment System to assess academic achievements in the context of applicants' educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. The recruitment process begins with an online application submitted through Fladgate's Apply4Law recruitment portal. Candidates provide information about their academic achievements, previous employment and relevant experiences, alongside responses demonstrating their motivation for pursuing a career in commercial law. Applicants should explain why Fladgate's distinctive combination of corporate, real estate, dispute resolution and private client work appeals to them, rather than relying on generic reasons for joining a London law firm. Fladgate places particular emphasis on candidates who demonstrate commercial awareness, commitment and relevant experience. Applicants should therefore provide specific examples of situations in which they have exercised judgement, taken responsibility or demonstrated initiative. The firm's Real Rating Contextual Recruitment System allows applicants to provide information about their educational and personal circumstances, which is considered when assessing their achievements. The exact written questions and word limits for the 2026/27 application cycle have not been publicly confirmed.
How to answer why youFladgate: quick answers
How much does Fladgate pay trainees?
Fladgate pays first-year trainees £50,000, rising to £52,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Fladgate earn £94,000.
How many trainees does Fladgate take on?
Fladgate takes on around 8 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Fladgate?
To apply to Fladgate you will generally need a 2:1+ degree. At A-level, Fladgate asks for BBC+. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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