Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.
We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.
Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.
Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.
Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.
Our Values
- Integrity. We build lasting relationships based on trust. People know that they can be confident in our probity and confidentiality.
- Excellence. We continually strive to give the best service to our clients. We are responsive, commercial and decisive, and we do not act where we cannot provide an excellent service.
- Partnership. We believe in partnership and teamwork, both with our clients and our people.
Diversity & Inclusion
Farrer & Co is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in relation to its members, clients and the community. We believe that every person in the firm has a responsibility to ensure inclusion and dignity at work.
We recognise the importance of creating an inclusive environment in which people can progress and fulfil their potential. We are committed to ensuring that all our people are employed, trained, compensated and promoted solely on the strength of their ability, qualifications, experience and merit.
We value the wellbeing of our people and pride ourselves on being a supportive employer, taking reasonable and practical steps to help them to balance their careers with other aspects of their lives. We think this is reflected in the fact that we have an exceptionally low staff turnover.
Diversity and inclusion enriches the culture of the firm and means that we are better positioned to continue to provide a first-class service to our clients.
Internal Diversity & Inclusion networks
D&I Champions
Our Diversity & Inclusion Partner and our Senior Diversity & Inclusion Manager work with our D&I Champions (made up of members from across the firm from each team and department) to share ideas and work on projects and initiatives to improve the diversity of the talent we attract and retain, and to support an inclusive environment.
Flexible working
We recognise the benefits flexible working can provide to our people, our clients and our business. We work to ensure that flexible and smart working is an integral part of our culture.
Working Parents Network
We have an active Working Parents network which meets regularly to share experiences and ideas.
LeGalBesT
We are founding members of this network of mid-size law firms focused on support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees. This inclusive group is open to anyone at the firm, both LGBT and allies.
Agender
Agender is the firm’s women’s network which works to support an inclusive working environment, improve workplace culture, be a representative voice on gender equality issues and encourage participation from male allies.
Lunch and Learn programme
We have a varied programme of lunch time sessions focusing on topics which affect our members' lives, including parenting and wellbeing.
External partners and memberships
Aspiring Solicitors
Aspiring Solicitors works to increase diversity in the legal profession across all underrepresented groups. The partnership is a part of the firm's ongoing commitment to increase diversity amongst solicitors at the firm.
Law Society Diversity & Inclusion Charter
Participation in the annual charter report helps us to identify areas for improvement as well as providing an opportunity to share, and learn from, examples of best practice with other firms.
PRIME
We are a member of PRIME, an alliance of law firms committed to improving access to the legal profession through work experience.
IntoUniversity
Each year, we run a work experience programme for a group of Year 13 IntoUniversity students. The scheme provides underrepresented pupils with an insight into the legal profession and working life.
The RARE contextual recruitment system
We use the RARE contextual recruitment system. This is a ground-breaking, data-driven graduate recruitment system to help improve social mobility. It is believed to be the first tech-based tool that helps firms to calibrate and measure the social mobility characteristics of individuals and graduate intakes.
Change100 Programme
We are an employer partner of the Change100 Programme with Leonard Cheshire, a charity supporting disabled people to fulfil their potential. Change100 is an award-winning programme of paid summer work placements and mentoring for disabled students and recent graduates.
Cityparents
The firm has corporate membership of Cityparents, which is a group of over 10,000 members in London representing legal, banking/finance, management consultancy, human resources and accountancy organisations.
For Diversity & Gender Reporting please click here.
Corporate Responsibility
"For us, corporate responsibility is a true reflection of our personal values and appreciation of our place within society."
Our ethos
We take seriously our responsibilities for our staff, our local environment and the communities in which we live and work. Active corporate responsibility is integral to the welfare and ethos of the firm, making it the kind of place we all wish to work for and represent. To achieve this we encourage charitable and pro bono activity by:
- encouraging pro bono work, including our support of the Impact Investing Institute and our partnership with the Mary Ward free legal advice centre
- supporting volunteering through events and challenges, encouraging staff to use their annual volunteering day and by regular firm donations through the firm's charitable trust to charities
- hosting and participating in charitable activities, from bake sales to hosting an evening on behalf of JUSTICE on the challenges to the legal system in the 21st century
- actively taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint - we were one of the first firms to be ESOS compliant, and
- being a signatory to The Law Society's Pro Bono Charter.
Reflecting our culture and business, most of our external corporate responsibility projects are created and maintained through personal initiatives and relationships. From trainee solicitors all the way up to the senior partner, every member of staff is encouraged to get involved in projects that have a positive impact for the benefit of charities in our local community and in their own.
Our local community
"It really is hugely encouraging for the team to know that you have chosen to continue to support us over such a long period of time and that enthusiasm amongst your colleagues continues to grow. The gifts that you bring are not only the presents themselves, but thought and care they demonstrate shows our clients that they are held in mind as people deserving of your kindness."
Janet Martin, Project Manager, St Mungo's
We also support our people who are active in their own local communities. Some of our recent activities include:
- donations of gift boxes to St Mungo’s shelter for the homeless in Holborn at Christmas, Easter gifts to the patients of Barts at Easter and a harvest collection in Autumn for Food for All
- improving the literacy of children by reading with pupils at local schools since 2008 as a corporate sponsor of the reading scheme charity, Beanstalk
- volunteering at a number of local food banks, charity shops, older people's lunch clubs and employability centres
- fundraising by completing the London Legal Walk, marathons, Three Peaks Challenge and Race the Sun events, and
- providing support at free legal advice clinics and training others in our community to do the same.
For more information about corporate responsibility at Farrer & Co, please contact Elizabeth Jones or Katjana Cleasby or call +44 (0)20 3375 7000 .
Our Environment
We are committed to looking at ways our business can improve its sustainability performance. In 2018 we partnered with Planet First, the custodian of the Planet Mark, a sustainability certification delivered in partnership with the Eden Project. We are proud to have achieved our Planet Mark certification for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.
The Planet Mark certification provides assurance of:
• Commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, social and economic performance.
• Measuring and reducing our carbon footprint on an annual basis.
• Engaging with our employees on environmental issues and with a global community rainforest project (Cool Earth) that aims to halt deforestation.
Our Alumni
Our staff retention rate continues to be amongst the best in the legal sector - the consequence being a smaller alumni community than some other firms, but a solid and growing one nonetheless.
We take great pride that many of our staff remain with us for many years, and that those that move on choose to continue their relationship with us through our alumni initiative.
Our annual networking event and social gatherings aim to complement the activities of the firm and those of our alumni, and help maintain our relationships within the wider Farrers' community.
Any role you have held at Farrers is valued, and we would love to hear from you. Please call on 020 3375 7000 or email Henry Sainty or Paul Jones for more information. You can also join our LinkedIn group here.
Our Art Collection
The firm has invested in several established contemporary artists including Arthur Madderson and William Tillyer, along with emerging artists such as Philip Mount and Ptolemy Mann. Each of the artists display their own areas of skills and perspective, yet collectively exhibit a cohesive personality and focus, much like the people here at Farrers.
The art collection has been carefully chosen with the advice of expert Philip Herriott, Director of Art Search Limited, to reflect the culture and individualism of our brand. The unique selection of art mediums, ranging between drawings, paintings, patchwork and photography, all echo the ongoing creative ethos of Farrers and we are happy to feature it on our website.
The Farrers Timeline
1701
The journey begins
We trace our origins back to a practice started by Tempest Slinger Snr and Tempest Slinger Jnr who set up an office at 5 New Square.
1769
Keeping it in the family
With the arrival of a second brother, James, the name of the firm now includes Farrer.
1780
School for Scandal
The firm is instructed to sue well-known playwright Richard Brindsley Sheridan, resulting in the repossession of the Opera House.
1789
In the papers
We are instructed by the Duke of York to sue The Times newspaper for an article suggesting some of the Royal Princes were less than happy at the recovery of George lll. The editor was imprisoned for a year.
1790
Moving in
We purchase the southern half of 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields from the son of Attorney General James Wallace after it was restored by Sir Christopher Wren.
1820
The Iron Duke
Advice was provided to the Duke of Wellington relating to the insurance of his paintings.
1856
Great expectations
Charles Dickens asks the firm to handle his purchase of a house at Gads Hill in Kent. Further advice is provided on Dickens’ business contracts, libel cases and a copyright dispute in New Zealand.
1910
Good health
Following advice from Farrers, work starts on a groundbreaking cancer research institute in London, later to become the world famous Institute of Cancer Research.
1930
The Royals
The firm advises the Royal Family and the Royal Estates in a number of capacities. In the 1930s, this includes sensitive negotiations over the abdication of Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor).
1948
Olympic legacy
The relationship with the British Olympic Association (BOA) commences with instructions on the London Olympic Games. Partner Emrys Lloyd was an Olympian competing in the fencing tournament.
1967
Moving house
The firm moves into number 65 Lincoln’s Inn Fields which had been the home of William Marsden, with whom Farrers had had a very cordial relationship. Farrers had been instrumental in the two hospitals which he founded: the Royal Free and the Royal Marsden Hospital.
1989
Imperial times
The firm expands and adds to its accommodation in the newly refurbished Imperial Buildings.
2006
Changing times
Farrers converts to a limited liability partnership (LLP).
2012
Making waves
We provide legal advice to the BOA for the successful London 2012 bid. Staff raise funds for Paralympian sailors, Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell, to buy a boat, called “Tempest Slinger”, which they used to win Bronze. We also launch an exhibition on the 1948 Olympics in London to celebrate our ongoing involvement with the Games, as mentioned in The Times.
2014
Award winning
We were named ‘Best Managed Workplace’ at the 2014 Managing Partner Forum Awards for Management Excellence in recognition of the firm’s solid performance and revenue growth in challenging economic times.
2018
Embracing change
Farrers continues as a leading law firm with an ongoing commitment to innovation and embracing technology to help us help our clients. We were one of the first firms in the UK to implement a cloud based electronic file solution for managing documents and emails – increasing efficiencies and providing quicker access to client files.
2021
Future Farrers
Farrers unveils refurbished offices to coincide with a new agile working framework. All our people can now enjoy the benefits of both collaborative workspaces and remote working. Smarter working methods mean our clients get an even better service.
2024
New milestones
Farrers becomes a 100+ partner firm with revenues exceeding £100 million.