Beachcroft Wansbroughs was promoted to the top tier of personal injury defendant law firms in this year's Legal 500 rankings.

Beachcroft was commended for its work in claims relating to occupational stress and disease, work-related upper limb disorders, and sporting injuries.

Irwin Mitchell and Stewarts were rated the leading personal injury claimant firms, while Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co were rated the leading firms in the insurance/reinsurance litigation category.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert was also rated as the top firm for professional negligence claims. Clifford Chance and Lovells were ranked the top firms in the corporate and regulatory insurance category.