Up where we belong: LGFL’s new ranking in the Legal 500 UK 2026
We’re delighted to announce that LGFL are once again listed in the Legal 500 UK directory, confirming us as one of the top family law firms in the Thames Valley area. This isn’t just some local business directory; the Legal 500 researches and ranks thousands of law firms in the UK and around the world.
The Legal 500 team research all types and sizes of legal firms, their Directors and staff lawyers. It then ranks the best firms into Tiers according to their excellence, area of expertise, and their location.
So when you choose a family law firm or lawyer from the Legal 500 listings for 2026, you can rest assured they are one of the best in your area.
You can see our new ranking at:
https://www.legal500.com/firms/4411-leiper-gupta-family-lawyers-ltd-lgfl-ltd/r-england/rankings
LGFL in the Legal 500 UK 2026
For the 2026 edition, we’re thrilled that:
• LGFL maintains its position as a Tier 3 firm in the Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 areas. We are listed alongside much larger law firms, as some of the major players have merged this year. It is a testament to our boutique approach and highly personal service that we rank alongside those firms, and also encounter regularly in court.
As the Legal 500 says in its 2026 editorial:
“Characterised by ‘its client-focused approach and exceptional expertise’, boutique firm Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers Ltd (LGFL Ltd) is co-led by Anne Leiper and Rita Gupta. Noted for her ’professionalism and attention to detail’, Leiper is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. A standout element of the practice is Gupta’s expertise regarding cases involving SEN children: ‘an innovative, hugely experienced and professional lawyer’, she is additionally experienced in post-separation abuse cases.”
• LGFL Directors Rita Gupta and Anne Leiper maintain their status as Recommended Lawyers for the 2026 Legal 500 editions. Both Directors have achieved and maintained this status since LGFL was first listed in the Legal 500 UK back in 2017.
• LGFL retains its prestigious Client Satisfaction Mark in the Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 section. This is a tremendous achievement and again stems from our exceptional level of personal service for clients at both Director and Team levels.
As the Legal 500 UK website explains:
"Each year we survey hundreds of thousands of clients on the Client Service they receive from law firms … Our Client Service ratings and our Customer Experience ratings together provide a definitive guide to law firm Client Satisfaction. Client Satisfaction excellence (is awarded) for the top 30% of firms in each jurisdiction according to their score, (and) allows those firms who have achieved truly outstanding scores to see that achievement recognised at legal500.com.”
Our in-depth client testimonials
Our Legal 500 ranking is important to us, so much so that we’re up at 7 am on launch day to check it out! However, what we genuinely look forward to reading the most are the clients' testimonials collected by the Legal 500 researchers. They are so valuable to us to help us improve our services and grow our business.
These testimonials are requested and collected by Legal 500 from referees we have first contacted and asked if they are happy to be included. As the Legal 500 explains: “We email Client Referees asking for their opinions on strengths, weaknesses, innovation, individuals, and the general legal market. All comments and feedback from Client Referees is on a confidential, non-attributable basis.”
Our Client Testimonials for the 2026 Legal 500 UK
‘Rita Gupta is an innovative, hugely experienced and professional lawyer, who goes the extra mile for her clients.’
‘Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers are true professionals in every sense of the word. They show empathy, strong communication skills, and have a thorough understanding of family law, while also exhibiting patience, analytical abilities, and the capacity to navigate complex and often emotional situations.’
‘This practice stands out for its client-focused approach and exceptional expertise. Advice given is honest, clear, and realistic. The firm's small size fosters close collaboration and personalised attention, setting it apart from larger competitors.'
‘I have found LGFL an excellent company to deal with. Rita Gupta in particular has been extremely helpful and manages to explain everything in clear English. This is especially helpful when you do not fully understand 'solicitors speak''
‘Rita Gupta always makes you feel at ease, and you feel comfortable in explaining your situation. Her questions are easily understood and phrased clearly. She has a fantastic ability to understand her clients and is always willing to assist further with any questions you may have. I cannot say enough about the excellent service I have received and would totally recommend Rita and her team to anyone.’
‘Personally, I cannot fault a single thing Anne Leiper did for me. Her knowledge and experience speak volumes about how she helped me get to the end of a divorce that I didn't think was possible. I came away with a settlement I never thought was achievable.'
Looking for a Legal 500 UK lawyer in the Thames Valley corridor?
We’re here to help. Take advantage of our initial 1-hour reduced fee advice session so you can have the expert information you require from the very start.
LGFL Legal 500 FAQs
Q. Why should I choose a Legal 500-listed firm?
When you choose a family law firm that is ranked by Legal 500, you know it has been scrutinised, researched, checked, and verified by the Legal 500 team. Inclusion is entirely at their discretion; you literally cannot buy your way in or pay to “upgrade” your rankings in any way. All testimonials are anonymous, so we don’t know which client, professional colleague, or counsel said what.
LGFL is proud to have been included in the Legal 500 since the first year we applied (2017) and has remained as a Ranked Firm and our Directors as Recommended Lawyers ever since.
For more details, see our article “Why Choose a Legal 500 or Chambers Listed Law Firm” at https://lgfamilylawyers.co.uk/choose-legal-500-family-lawyer/
Q. How does the Legal 500 work out a firm’s Client Satisfaction Score?
According to the Legal 500 website, clients are asked to rank the service they receive across multiple criteria:
Appropriate Resourcing
Billing Transparency
Value for Work Done
Communications and Case Management
Consistency of Service
Efficiency in Delivering the Legal Product
Industry/Commercial Knowledge
Lawyer and Team Quality
Partner Availability and Engagement
Profile in the Industry Sector
Quality of Associates
Quality of Partners
For more details, see https://www.legal500.com/faqs-single/what-criteria-makes-up-a-client-satisfaction-score/
Q. Will you be listed in Chambers and Partners too?
Chambers and Partners will announce their listings for 2026 on Thursday, 16 October 2025. We will keep you posted!
Q. What’s the difference between Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners?
On the surface, not a lot, but Legal 500 research is generally more in-depth, and they publish many more testimonials. The ranking system is different, too:
• Legal 500 - ranks law firms in Tiers and recommends individual lawyers
• Chambers and Partners - ranks both the firm and the lawyers in Bands.
What is impressive (and important) is that if a law firm such as ours is listed on both, you can be doubly confident in your choice of family lawyers.
About the author
Rita Gupta is Co-founder and Managing Director of family law firm LGFL Ltd, serving family law for clients in the Reading and Thames Valley area, across the UK and for international clients involved in UK divorce cases. She has featured as a family law expert on national TV and radio, including BBC Radio 5 Live with Nicky Campbell, LBC, GB News with Darren McCaffrey and local TV and radio.
• Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
• Listed in Chambers and Partners
• Listed Leading Lawyer at Wiselaw
• Member of Resolution
SOURCES:
Legal 500 team. (n.d.). What criteria makes up a client satisfaction score? Legal 500. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://www.legal500.com/faqs-single/what-criteria-makes-up-a-client-satisfaction-score/
Gupta, R. (2022, October). Why choose a Legal 500 or Chambers listed law firm? LGFL. https://lgfamilylawyers.co.uk/choose-legal-500-family-lawyer/
Legal 500 team. (n.d.). Client referees. Legal 500. Retrieved September 29,2025, from https://www.legal500.com/faqs/?_sft_faq_cats=client-referees
Legal 500 team. (n.d.). Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers Ltd (LGFL Ltd) profile. Legal 500. Retrieved October 1, 2025, from https://www.legal500.com/firms/4411-leiper-gupta-family-lawyers-ltd-lgfl-ltd/r-england/rankings