Kingsley Napley
Trusted to discreetly handle complex, high-profile and sensitive matters
The law firm for the independently minded
For almost 90 years, Kingsley Napley has embraced independence. It has shaped who we are and how we work. It means we think differently, act without conformity and offer judgment that is clear, objective and principled.
As a result, our lawyers have earned a reputation for being creative and sensitive in their approach to complex, high-stakes legal issues, and we have played a central role in many cases which have had a profound impact on our legal system.
We specialise in legal disciplines – disputes and investigations, advisory and transactional, private client and family – which require empathy, discretion and expertise, and where reputations and futures may be at stake.
But what sets us apart is a mindset, culture and values which embraces innovation, builds trust, and encourages excellence.
We will measure success not by our size, but by our impact – on our clients, on the law, on our people and on the communities we serve.
Our Story
For almost a century we’ve built a reputation for thinking differently, acting with integrity and redefining what’s possible.
Kingsley Napley is born
Sidney Kingsley and David Naphtali decided to start a law firm together, originally named Kingsley, Kennedy & Co. David offered civil and criminal litigation services and Sidney offered non-contentious services, in particular commercial property. After serving in the war, David and Sidney reopened the firm in 1945 as Kingsley Napley.
Making a name for ourselves
While we remained a small firm of less than 20 people, we began to make a name for ourselves as litigators of renown. We also started to take on licensing work, in particular for London’s celebrity restaurants and entertainment venues.
[Photo: Andy Eick]
One of the foremost criminal practices
Kingsley Napley became established as one of the foremost criminal practices in the country, largely thanks to our role in a number of high profile celebrity cases. These included the Jeremy Thorpe conspiracy to murder trial, the attempted kidnap of Princess Anne and the Steve Biko inquest.
The decade of growth
We became well known for our commercial and private client work alongside our criminal litigation expertise, and represented families of those who died in the Zeebrugge and Lockerbie disasters. In 1989 we merged with Egerton Sandler.
The go-to firm for white collar crime
Kingsley Napley became the go-to firm for white collar crime cases. We acted in several notable cases, including the Guinness affair, and represented a number of high profile clients including Ian Maxwell, Nick Leeson and General Pinochet. In addition, we continued to expand our range of services, with the formation of our Clinical Negligence, Employment and Immigration teams.
[Photo: Emilio Kopaitic]
Playing a pivotal role in public life
We focused on expanding our corporate and commercial services, and acted in a number of notable M&A deals. Our Public Law team played an integral role in the Hutton Inquiry into the Iraq war (representing Tony Blair among others) and our Regulatory team acted for a number of Metropolitan Police officers in the investigation into the shooting of Jean-Paul de Menezes. Our Criminal team provided assistance to the family of Madeleine McCann.
[Photo: Caroline Ford]
Going from strength to strength
Thanks to our burgeoning reputation we expanded our work in a number of legal areas. Our Public Law team in particular have acted in many high profile inquests, including the 7/7 bombings and the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
[Photo: David Holt]
Looking to the future
Our refreshed identity and strategy, launched in 2026, embeds independence at the heart of who we are as a firm, shaping the way we think, how we act, and the experience we create for clients and colleagues alike.
At a glance
Kingsley Napley’s standing in the legal profession reflects decades of principled work and client victories. Our record speaks to the calibre of our practice and the trust our clients place in us.
500+
People
230+
Lawyers
£71.2M
Revenue (FY 2024/5)
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Diversity, equity & inclusion
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People
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CASE_STUDIES
CASE STUDIES
View examples of cases we have acted in and the results we have achieved for our clients.
International
INTERNATIONAL
We maintain strong relationships with respected firms across Europe, enabling seamless cross-border advice.