IFLR1000
IFLR1000 submissions: deadlines, rules and template guide
IFLR1000 2026 deadlines: 6 dates from 26 Jan 2026 to 23 Oct 2026. Deadlines for the 2027 cycle are expected (not yet announced); typical timing: January to June, by region. Upload the Word research form and the Excel client referee form to the LBG submission portal. Email and PDFs are not accepted.
One submission covers both the rankings and the IFLR Awards. IFLR1000 does not cover arbitration, competition, disputes, employment, IP or tax. For awards, flag two or three deals per practice area.
IFLR1000 key facts
| Deadlines |
|
|---|---|
| How you submit | Word research form + Excel client referee form uploaded to LBG Accreditation Submission Portal (account with firm email domain); no email, no PDFs |
| Cost to submit | Free ("There is no cost to participate in the research") |
| Research period | Per region after deadline: practice-area interviews, referee survey, awards shortlist research; practitioner survey each cycle |
| Publication | Per region (regional graphics on page); not captured |
| Matter limit | 10 deal highlights per practice area (do not submit more than 10 per form); deals since 1 Jan of previous year |
| Length guidance | None published |
| Referee rules | Max 15 referees per practice area; must have worked with firm in prior 18 months; all on-time referees contacted |
| Confidential information | Awards: deals must be publishable; rankings form allows confidential (handling not detailed on page) |
| Who submits | One form per practice area per jurisdiction; Section 1 lawyer nominations |
| Edition | 2026 cycle (2027 schedule not yet published) |
A referee is a client or other contact the directory asks for feedback on your work, usually listed in a spreadsheet.
Sources: iflr.com/our-research
What IFLR1000 researchers look for
In the directory's own words, from its official guidance:
“Deal evidence is the decisive factor.”
Source: IFLR1000: our research
“10 highlights per practice area (please do not submit more than 10 deals per form).”
Source: IFLR1000: our research
“Firms should submit no more than 15 referees per practice area.”
Source: IFLR1000: our research
Common submission mistakes
- Overfilling the form. IFLR1000 takes 10 deal highlights per practice area; extra deals on one form do not help.
- Missing matter detail. Each matter should say what happened, the firm's role, who led it, the value or stakes where publishable, the dates and the current status. Gaps here are the most common reason a highlight carries little weight.
- Essay-style highlights. Long narrative paragraphs and claims without evidence are hard for researchers to use. Short, specific, provable facts in the directory's own format read better.
- Late or unchecked referee lists. Referee spreadsheets are often assembled in the last days, with out-of-date contact details or contacts who have not agreed to respond.
- Sending it by email. Email is not accepted for this guide; upload through the portal.
IFLR1000 questions
When is the IFLR1000 submission deadline?
IFLR1000 2026 deadlines: 6 dates from 26 Jan 2026 to 23 Oct 2026. Deadlines for the 2027 cycle are expected (not yet announced); typical timing: January to June, by region.
How many matters can you submit to IFLR1000?
10 deal highlights per practice area (do not submit more than 10 per form); deals since 1 Jan of previous year.
How many referees does IFLR1000 accept?
Max 15 referees per practice area; must have worked with firm in prior 18 months; all on-time referees contacted.
Does it cost anything to submit to IFLR1000?
Free ("There is no cost to participate in the research").
Preparing an IFLR1000 submission? Talk to us.
We prepare stronger, researcher-ready submissions: a polished draft, a checked referee spreadsheet and a deadline plan. Your team reviews and submits.