A London-based publishing company has once again given Conyers Dill & Pearman top marks for its practice of corporate and commercial law as part of its global survey of law firms.

Chambers and Partners Publishing said CD&P had come in for the highest praise of all the Island's corporate law firms, in its survey of legal professionals for its annual Global Guide of law firms and lawyers in 170 countries around the world. The firm, Bermuda's largest, was given the same honour last year.

Two of the firm's partners have also been given number one rankings for their respective practice areas ? John Collis for corporate and Narinder Hargun coming out on top in the area of litigation.

The survey, on a global basis, interviews thousands of legal professionals. The research is carried out by 30 full-time researchers over a period of 12 months and was said to involve in-depth interviews with clients and lawyers by telephone. Chambers added that the rankings were made on an "objective basis" and that no law firm or lawyers could "buy their way in".

In the survey, law firms and individual lawyers were said to be ranked by respondents on a scale of one to six, with assessments being based on several areas including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The company said that its research methodology had been approved by the British Market Research Bureau, which audits the research annually.