If you joined the IFLR1000 webinar yesterday (or meant to and got pulled into just one more call), you weren’t alone. The session covered some meaningful changes for this research cycle—especially around submissions, practice areas, and lawyer nominations.
Here’s our no-fluff breakdown of what actually matters, and what you should be thinking about now.
What’s the Biggest Change This Year?
For the first time, firms will submit a single, unified research form covering both:
- IFLR1000 rankings, and
- IFLR Awards
This means:
- No more separate rankings and awards submissions
- Matters included in your research form can now be flagged directly for awards consideration
- Less duplication, more strategic planning
💡 Takeaway: You’ll want to think about rankings and awards together from the outset—especially when selecting deals.
Are the Practice Areas the Same as Last Year?
Not exactly—and this is an important one to double-check.
The most notable update is the expansion of the traditional Banking category into Banking & Finance, which now explicitly includes:
- Traditional banking work
- Project finance
- Asset finance
- Financial services regulatory matters
This change also means:
- New ranking tables in certain European jurisdictions
- In some jurisdictions, previously separate practice areas have been combined
- In others, firms may still have the option to submit under two separate sub-categories
💡 Takeaway: Don’t assume last year’s structure applies. Always review the practice areas for your specific jurisdiction before submitting.
What If I Only Want to Submit for the Awards?
You still can.
Awards-only submissions remain possible, and the form is flexible if rankings aren’t your focus this year.
If you’re submitting just for awards:
- Focus primarily on deal highlights
- Keep the practice description and lawyer sections light
- Simply tick “Yes” in the awards nomination box
A few key rules to keep in mind:
- All matters submitted for awards must be publishable
- You may nominate up to three matters for awards consideration
💡 Takeaway: Even an awards-only submission benefits from a clean, compelling narrative—just without the full rankings depth.
IFLR1000 Has Capped Referees at 15—Does This Affect Rankings?
Short answer: No.
While the maximum number of referees has been reduced to 15:
- Referee feedback will be weighted the same way as in previous years
- There’s no change to how rankings are calculated
💡 Takeaway: Quality over quantity still applies. Choose referees strategically.
Should I Nominate Lawyers Who Are Already Ranked?
Generally, no.
Lawyers who are already ranked do not need to be re-nominated unless:
- They are seeking a change in ranking, for example:
- Highly Regarded → Market Leader
💡 Takeaway: Use your nominations to promote lawyers who are not already ranked and to increase bench strength.
Is There a Limit on Lawyer Nominations?
Yes—and this is another area where precision matters.
You may nominate:
- Up to 5 lawyers total across:
- Market Leader
- Highly Regarded
- Women Leaders
- Up to 3 lawyers for:
- Rising Star Partner
- Rising Star
💡 Takeaway: Be intentional. Over-nominating isn’t an option.
Can I Submit by Email?
Nope.
All submissions must be made exclusively through the IFLR1000 portal. No email submissions are accepted—no exceptions.
Are There Other Ways to Nominate Lawyers?
Yes!
The Lawyers Survey will open in March, allowing:
- Self-nominations
- Peer nominations
This is separate from the firm submission and can be a useful supplementary channel.
💡 Takeaway: Don’t overlook the Lawyers Survey—it’s an additional opportunity to reinforce visibility. You can use it to add names that weren’t included in the submission due to space constraints or to further highlight those who were.
Final Thought
This year’s changes are clearly aimed at streamlining the process—but they also reward firms that plan early and submit strategically. Between the unified form, evolving practice areas, and tighter nomination limits, a thoughtful approach matters more than ever.