A CUMBRIAN commercial law firm has been named the best in Cumbria and one of the best in the whole of the North West.

Baines & Wilson has won top ranking in the prestigious Chambers UK 2015 - regarded as the 'bible' to the best lawyers and law firms in the UK. The guide covers 50 cities and counties in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The company's employment and commercial departments also scored highly and were ranked among the best in the North West.

Baines & Wilson has offices in Carlisle and Lancaster with clients in the Lake District and South Cumbria.

It mainly acts for privately owned companies, PLCs and entrepreneurs as well as financial institutions, companies and local authorities, other public bodies and charities.

Core practice areas include agribusiness, commercial, corporate, commercial property and employment Law, among others.

Managing Partner, John Wilson said: “We are again delighted to be ranked as the top corporate firm in Cumbria and one of the best in the North West. Similarly to have other key departments recognised in the North West top bands is pleasing, as is the recognition of some of our individual lawyers."

The company says it has been going through a period of unprecedented growth, having appointed nine lawyers during the calendar year 2014 so far, with two more to join between now and Christmas.

The firm has also established office in Lancaster, which currently employs six lawyers with more to come.

The Chambers Guide is published every October and ranks solicitors, firms, barristers and sets in over 70 specialist areas of law, with each area of law having its own chapter in the guide.

Chambers say it rankings are based on the results of thousands of confidential interviews with clients of law firms and sets, and consideration of work done by those law firms and sets throughout the year.

It has 150 full-time editors and researchers employed at its head office in London. who talk to lawyers and clients and conduct in-depth telephone interviews. It also uses information submitted by law firms and in-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews.

Key lawyers, Andrew Hill and John Wilson were both praised in the guide, as was employment partners Joanne Holborn, and Tom Scaife are also recommended, and its real estate department, headed by Sean Logue.