The Magic Circle is an informal term used to describe collectively what are considered to be either the five, or possibly six, leading London-based law firms, all of which employ primarily solicitors. It is also used as a term to describe the top four Commercial Chambers at the Bar. In the US, the term used to describe the leading firms is White shoe firm. Members of the Magic Circle are:

• Allen & Overy
• Clifford Chance
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Linklaters
• Slaughter and May

 the first four listed above were in the top six largest law firms in the world by revenue (in 2006 Clifford Chance became the world's highest-grossing law firm).

Slaughter and May only ranked 32nd in the world on this measure, but it has consistently enjoyed the highest profits per equity partner of the Magic Circle for a number of years. Surveys by American business website Vault.com in 2006, 2007 and 2008 ranked Slaughter and May to be the most prestigious law firm to work for in the United Kingdom.

One reason for the difference in turnover and profitability rests in the distinctive international strategy taken by Slaughter and May from the rest of the Magic Circle, which prefers to maintain its international capability by relying on a network of so-called "Best Friends", members of which typically are leading independent law firms in the relevant jurisdiction. This allows Slaughter and May to enjoy a higher profitability at the expense of a lower turnover compared to the rest of the Magic Circle, which has instead expanded aggressively by establishing many overseas offices.

These firms are generally ranked amongst league tables as the most prestigious firms by other solicitors in England and Wales, and have the highest earnings per-partner and per-lawyer in the United Kingdom. Arguably however, their dominance of the London legal market has been challenged in recent years by American "big law" firms operating branch offices in London, which have a significantly smaller turnover but tend to pay larger salaries. Those UK firms which are seen as the main competitors and nearest rivals of the Magic Circle are often referred to as the Silver Circle.

The Bar

The following four Chambers are considered the Bar's Magic Circle

• Brick Court Chambers
• Essex Court Chambers
• One Essex Court
• Fountain Court Chambers

Related phrases

• White shoe firms or Charmed Circle, referring to law firms perceived to be the leading New York City law firms
• Seven Sisters, referring to the seven Canadian law firms considered to be the top tier
• Big Six, referring to six Australian law firms perceived to be of the top tier
• Big Three, referring to three Texas law firms considered to be the top tier
• Big Five, referring to the five largest South African law firms

See also

• List of law firms
• List of largest European law firms
• List of largest UK law firms

References