Cobbetts has topped the UK’s most respected client poll for alternative billing and predictable costs, reflecting its innovative approach to aligning its fee structure to clients’ constantly evolving needs. 

The league table, compiled for Legal Week’s annual Client Satisfaction Report, saw Cobbetts beat off competition from second placed, international law firm, SJ Berwin, and third placed, national firm Hammonds (both 6.7 out of ten), to achieve a satisfaction rating of 7.3. 

Derrick Bedlow, editor of the report, outlined the increasing reliance on alternative billing as clients seek cost-effective legal solutions during this testing economic period. He wrote: “One fundamental change in the market since last year’s report is the growing insistence on – and acceptance of – fixed and other alternative fee arrangements by clients and law firms respectively. This year, for the first time, we are evaluating client attitudes to how they pay for legal services and identifying which firms are meeting, exceeding or falling short of client expectations in this crucial area.” 

Cobbetts also topped a poll for cost and billing practices, with the firm’s clients acknowledging that it goes out of its way to provide value for money. In the overall satisfaction rankings for clients of national firms, Cobbetts came third with a rating of 8.1. 

Michael Shaw, managing partner at Cobbetts, said: “Our approach to pricing has evolved over many years of working with sophisticated and discerning consumers of professional services on both national and international levels. It is extremely gratifying to be recognised in these polls and to know that our clients appreciate our unwavering focus on their needs and our willingness to innovate and adapt our working practices in line with their business models. 

“The legal services market is due to undergo further significant change over the coming years, and we firmly expect clients to continue to challenge their professional advisers to constantly evolve their offerings and the ways in which they charge for their services. We plan to remain at the forefront of that revolution.”