We often get asked about the differences between the international legal directories Chambers and Legal 500. Both have been going a long time and have a strong reputation in the market with clients. Who is better? One is chicken and the other lamb. Is it different meat, same gravy?

Following hot on the heels of Chambers deadlines, Legal 500’s are coming around the corner – August 3 (for client referees) and August 10 (word submissions)..

Five things to remember with Legal 500 that are different:

  1. Template: Unlike Chambers, there is no specific template for Legal 500 but to meet their criteria, you can create one that gives them what they need, in the order that they need it. Bullet points about the practice (this was section B10 in Chambers); Feedback (this was section D2 but look at the Legal 500 rankings); Team information and Work highlights.
  2. Work highlights: Legal 500 want between 5 and 10 matters maximum. Chambers asks for 15 so be selective and CHOOSE a few to lose if you need to. You can refer to them in the phone interview.
  3. Consider the timeframe – it is slightly later than Chambers. All work referred to should be either completed between August 2014 and July 2015 or ongoing.
  4. With 17 sections in Israel (compared to 11 in Chambers), Legal 500 have introduced two new areas this year within Dispute Resolution. These are Arbitration and Mediation and Class Actions. Unlike Chambers, there are also sections covering Insurance, Investment Funds, Telecoms and Media and Transport. If you are submitting for these sections, it is best to start gathering this data now and looking through other submissions for relevant content.
  5. Referees: Review the list provided for Chambers if you submitted them for Chambers and consider refreshing the list with available, responsive referees, who can comment on the wider team. Legal 500 allows you more referees as you are allowed up to 20.

Help them understand what you do. This is about giving them what they need and saying what you want to, but striking the balance between them. If they are the same meat but different gravy, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy eating both.