Practice by city · November 2026
International Arbitration & Public International Law in London: lateral monitor
Lawyers who changed firm in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London over the last 12 months, set against the practice and the city as a whole.
The last 12 months: November 2025 to October 2026
- 46
- Lateral moves, 12 monthsNovember 2025 to October 2026
- +2.0%
- Year on yearSettled 12-month windows
- 43.5%
- Partner share of moves
- 27
- Firms that hired
What the data show
Sartori & Partners data show 46 lateral moves in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London from November 2025 to October 2026, 28.4% of the practice's moves. On settled windows the count went from 49 to 50 (+2.0%), which we read as flat. It fell behind the market's own change of +9.0%.
| Measure | Here | International Arbitration & Public International Law | London | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner share of moves | 43.5% | 35.8% | 29.3% | 27.7% |
| Counsel share of moves | 15.2% | 16.7% | 9.1% | 12.7% |
| Associate share of moves | 41.3% | 46.3% | 60.4% | 58.5% |
| Moved up a level | 13.0% | 16.7% | 11.5% | 12.9% |
| Changed city (three years) | 14.0% | 26.1% | 17.7% | 21.6% |
| Hired by firms of 1,000+ lawyers | 63.0% | 71.4% | 68.5% | 53.6% |
| Year on year | flat (+2.0%) | flat (+12.8%) | flat (-2.5%) | rose (+9.0%) |
12 months to October 2026 unless the row says three years; a row switches to three years for every column when this page's 12-month value is not published. A dash is a value we do not publish. Flat means a change under 5% or inside the noise of the two counts.
Against the International Arbitration & Public International Law practice as a whole, the widest gap is the share who changed city over three years, which is lower here: 14.0% against 26.1%. Set against all moves in London, the associate share stands out most: 41.3% here against 60.4%, below it. Year on year it moved with the International Arbitration & Public International Law practice as a whole: both flat.
Over the three years to October 2026, 151 lawyers moved in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London, 56 of them partners (37.1%). They joined 68 different firms. 9.9% stepped up a level on the move and 14.0% changed city, against 12.3% and 21.6% across the market over the same three years. 64.6% came from firms with 1,000+ lawyers.
- Partner43.5%
- Counsel15.2%
- Associate41.3%
This is a partner market: 43.5% of movers were partners, against 27.7% market-wide. A step up in title came with 13.0% of moves (market 12.9%).
- 1,000+ lawyers63.0%
- 400-999 lawyers34.8%
27 firms hired at least one lateral in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London in the window. Firms in the 1,000+ lawyers class took 63.0% of arrivals, against 53.6% across the market.
- 1,000+ lawyers64.6%
- 400-999 lawyers20.8%
- 150-399 lawyers4.6%
- under 150 lawyers10.0%
The practice accounts for 3.5% of all lateral moves in London. Over the three years to October 2026, 68.9% of movers came from another firm in London itself.
21.7% of moves came as part of a group, against 1.5% market-wide.
With volume in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London holding level, a hire depends on a specific reason to move, which a firm has to put in front of the candidate.
Deals in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London
Sartori & Partners data count 33 dated deals in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London in the 12 months to October 2026 and 92 over the three years to October 2026.
Disputes & investigations work is involved in 94.6% of them.
By client industry, Government & Public Sector comes first with 40.2%.
Arnold & Porter ranks first among advising firms over the period, in the 11-20 band.
| Rank | Firm | Deals (band) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold & Porter | 11-20 |
| 2 | King & Spalding | 6-10 |
| 3 | Latham & Watkins | 6-10 |
| 4 | McDermott Will & Schulte | 6-10 |
| 5 | Debevoise & Plimpton | 3-5 |
| 6 | Covington & Burling | 3-5 |
| 7 | Clifford Chance | 3-5 |
| 8 | Steptoe | 3-5 |
| 9 | Mishcon de Reya | 3-5 |
| 10 | Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle | 3-5 |
Time to partner in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London
73 lawyers were promoted to partner in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London over five years, according to Sartori & Partners data.
The median time from first year of practice to partner is 11.0 years, with the middle half between 9.8 years and 12.0 years, against a market median of 10.0 years. 77.1% made partner within 12 years.
These figures rest on 48 promotions.
Specialities in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London
Over the three years to October 2026, International Commercial Arbitration was involved in 95.4% of moves in International Arbitration & Public International Law in London, then Investment Treaty Arbitration with 38.4%.
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Hiring in this market
Edition November 2026. Window: November 2025 to October 2026. Source: Sartori & Partners, from public law-firm announcements, firm websites and professional profiles, checked monthly. Methodology. Spot an error? [email protected].
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