Farrer & Co

The firm was started in 1701 by Tempest Slinger and his nephew, also named Tempest Slinger. In 1759, Oliver Farrer joined the firm, becoming a partner and the sole proprietor by 1769, and the name Farrer was added to the firm's name. From then until 1999, there was always at least one Farrer, and often several, working at the firm.[6]

In 1885, the solicitor Frederic Ouvry was headhunted through Coutts. He represented and developed a close friendship with Charles Dickens, and became President of the Law Society in 1871.[6]

The firm established itself as advisors to the Royal Family in the 1930s. Leslie Farrer (later Sir Leslie) was the personal advisor to the Duke of York (later George VI) and was involved in the negotiations over the abdication of Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor). The firm continued to serve members of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, throughout the 20th century.[6]

The firm converted to a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2006 and now employs around 400 people, including 73 partners.[9][6]

The company were used by Rupert Murdoch's News International during the News International phone hacking scandal. Farrer's partner, Ben Beabey, left in 2011 to join News International.[10] In 2012, Julian Pike, head of Farrer's Reputation Management practice, told a House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee that he had advised News International to carry out surveillance of the phone-hacking victims' lawyers, Charlotte Harris and Mark Lewis. News International has since admitted that the surveillance was "deeply inappropriate".[11] In 2017, Pike was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.[12]