Wragge & Co LLP has been named one of Europe's most innovative law firms in the Financial Times' survey of innovation in the legal profession. The firm was ranked in seventh place in the FT Law 50, joining Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy, DLA Piper, Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the top ten.

The FT Innovative Lawyers report, a review of European commercial law firms and in-house counsel, celebrates creative thinking, originality and new ways of working in the legal profession. Wragge & Co scooped a 'stand out' ranking in the public-private partnership category for its £3.9 billion CVF Alliance project to build the UK's next generation of aircraft carriers.

The firm was highly commended in corporate, finance, dispute resolution and commercial legal expertise categories and commended for billing and fees and human resources.

Quentin Poole said: "The legal profession continues to push the boundaries for creative thinking and innovation. It is a real priority for Wragge & Co. As our clients face increasingly complex challenges, we need to deliver effective, commercial solutions. Combining technical excellence with creative thinking enables us to do just that. A top ten ranking for innovation in this prestigious survey is excellent recognition of a single team effort."

The FT assessed 600 submissions, conducted 690 interviews and completed six months of research to expand the coverage of the legal profession across Europe. Submissions were assessed for originality, rationale and impact by expert consultants and industry commentators.

Its rankings for Wragge & Co were:

Public-private partnership – stand out for the CVF Alliance project led by Michael Whitehouse and Jane Pittaway to build the UK's next generation of aircraft carriers.

Corporate – highly commended for Dominic Roberts' creation of a contractual profit reserve: a solution to help companies tailor their treatment of profit reserves on a balance sheet. Commended for an M&A-style due diligence for the National Health Service led by Graham Spalding and Rhian Vandrill.

Finance – highly commended for developing and launching a Smartfund in the UK, the first retail investment product approved by the Financial Services Authority.

Dispute resolution – highly commended for the Cinpres Gas Injection v Melea Ltd led by Gordon Harris: the longest-running dispute in the English patents courts.

Commercial – highly commended for Vivien Cockerill's advice to Emap pensions trustees on a takeover by a specialist insurer of the pension scheme. Commended for Andrew Hodge's advice to Central Surrey Health and for the conduct of equal pay claims against a local authority, led by Jane Fielding and Mark Greenburgh.

Billing and fees – commended for James Gordon's introduction of CFAs and ATE for commercial cases.

Human resources – commended for teaching partners and associates to become coaches using a bespoke programme from Kaizen Consulting. The implementation was led by Jonathan Chamberlain and Wendy Morrison.

Wragge & Co is a top 25 UK commercial law firm advising international blue-chip companies and major public sector organisations on a full range of legal issues. The firm employs 1,200 people in offices in Birmingham, Brussels, Munich, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and London.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 685 2785, Amie Ryalls on +44 (0)121 685 2708 or Rebecca Davies on +44 (0)121 685 3819

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