Setfords started back in 2006 with a big idea...
to build a law firm that worked better for lawyers and, in turn, their clients.
The Setfords Difference
Our market-leading position is built on a simple belief: when lawyers are empowered to do their best work, clients receive a better service. Our model is straightforward: consultant lawyers have the autonomy to choose which work they want to take on so they can deliver a truly personalised and dedicated service to their clients. They also benefit from extensive operational and administrative support, allowing them to focus on what they do best.
A Better Way Forward...
For Lawyers
- Unrivalled support by a team of nearly 200 head office staff.
- Investment in technology to create solutions that truly work for our lawyers.
- Complete flexibility as Setfords' consultants choose their own schedules, clients and workload.
- No billing targets free up time and energy to give a better service every time.
- No office politics or management pressure mean lawyers can simply focus on their clients and their goals.
- Greater earnings potential with consultants taking home a larger percentage of their billings than they would at a traditional firm.
- A trusted name means Setfords consultants can work independently while benefitting from our brand strength.
For Clients
- No billing targets or time pressures means Setfords lawyers can dedicate more time to understanding each client’s needs and delivering outstanding service.
- Ultimate flexibility for our lawyers means they set their own schedules, allowing them to work around clients and their requirements.
- Nationwide coverage with hundreds of consultant lawyers across the UK, we can connect clients with the right expert, wherever they are.
- Dedicated legal partner from start to finish, clients work directly with their chosen qualified lawyer.
- Freedom from billing targets means our lawyers never take on more work than they can handle. Every client should receive the focus and attention they deserve.
2006: The Beginning
Setfords was founded by Guy Setford as a traditional law firm based in Guildford, Surrey. Inspired by how technology and new, disruptive business models were revolutionising other sectors, he began to sketch out a new kind of law firm offering greater flexibility for lawyers.
2009: A new way of working
Setfords became the first nationwide full-service law firm to launch a consultancy model. By 2009, Guy was joined by cousin Chris Setford.
2010 - 2012: Building the platform
Setfords’ tech platform was rolled out and over 75 lawyers joined the firm over the following years. Centralised administrative teams were established to enhance efficiency and support consultant growth. In 2013, the firm moved into a new Guildford HQ.
2016 - 2020: The next chapter
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Setfords welcomed its 300th consultant lawyer and opened a dedicated office in London’s legal district. The firm secured investment from BGF, marking a significant milestone in its expansion. Setfords continued to grow with billing, revenue, and consultant numbers increasing rapidly.
2021 - 2024: Fuelling growth
Private Equity investment in 2021 accelerated growth and technology innovation. Setfords moved into a new HQ featuring a bistro, gym, and state-of-the-art facilities, while continuing to enhance its platform and support services for lawyers. C-suite expansion continued.
2025: Scaling for the future
More than 600 lawyers are connected to the platform. Setfords is recognised as the fastest growing firm in The Lawyer’s Top 200 and the only law firm listed in the Financial Times: Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champions. Continued investment ensures Setfords remains at the forefront of innovation in the UK legal sector.
What's next
The legal market is becoming more flexible, more digital, and more client-driven. Setfords is not only adapting to these shifts - we are helping to shape them. Our platform enables lawyers to work from anywhere, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver clients a modern, frictionless experience.
Our vision is bold. By 2030, we aim to stand as the first truly tech-enabled, fully integrated, AI-augmented law firm - an organisation where technology elevates human insight and unlocks new possibilities for our people and our clients. With plans to welcome more than 2,000 lawyers in the next five years, we are building a community ready to redefine the profession together. We’ve proven our ability to innovate, to scale, and to reinvent what a law firm can be.
Now, we’re building the next chapter - and for Setfords, the future holds no limits.
For media enquiries please contact media@setfords.co.uk
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