Methodology and guidelines

As the field of global mobility continues to evolve beyond traditional relocation support into a more strategic function, the annual GML Elite guide recognises the legal and other professional services providers around the world that have offered market-leading, cutting-edge advice to employers over the past 12 months.

GML’s independent research is carried out annually in the first half of the year. 

To appear in GML Elite, firms must demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas: immigration, tax and social security, or labour and employment in the context of corporate global mobility projects.

Please follow the links below for more information.

 

Breakdown of guide

Successful firms are listed according to their geographic expertise.

To appear in the GLOBAL CAPABILITIES category, firms must have one of the following:

  • Demonstrated abilities in work across a wide range of jurisdictions, regardless of physical location of professionals; or
  • Experts based in three or more global regions

Some firms are also allocated specialist Immigration or Tax & Social Security tags; while these teams may provide additional services in global mobility, they are primarily known for advising on these sub-specialisms.

The final tag identifies those firms also recognised in the IEL Elite – our sister guide to the world's leading labour and employment law teams, with a particular focus on international work.

 

How to participate

Research for the 2026 edition has now closed.

Teams are invited to participate through a short submission process. A submission document is available on request.

The next deadline for submissions will be January 2027. Completed submissions are sent via email. Only one submission document is necessary per team, regardless of the number of offices providing matters for consideration. It is not necessary for every office to provide a full submission.

Teams are asked to provide a maximum of 20 standout instructions from the preceding year (January to December 2026).

What work to include

When reviewing submissions, GML will consider the complexity and value of the work and who the client is. Firms should clearly identify why each matter was important to the client.

Please clearly label any confidential information in red. Firms will not be penalised for only including confidential information.

A note on confidentiality: GML Elite submissions are saved separately from other documents, with access only granted to a select number of GML employees. None of the information included is used for any purpose other than informing the GML Elite research and the GML Elite write-up. Any information included in the GML Elite write-up is vigorously checked and cross-referenced against submission forms for potential confidentiality breaches prior to publishing.

Other information to include

  • Practice developments. This can include, but is not limited to, hires, promotions, and expansion of specialisation, as well as new clients, geographical growth, investment in new technology, and other innovations that benefit your clients around the globe.
  • Key points of contact in the team. For example, regional or national heads, or leaders of sub-practice groups.

Interviews

Follow-up telephone interviews, lasting between 45 minutes and one hour, will be arranged where appropriate.

Should your firm be offered an interview, we would advise a maximum of two team members attend. Interviewees should be prepared to talk about their practice’s standout work and provide observations on market trends and competitors.

 

How we get our results

The results of the GML Elite research are based on:

  • Analysis of work carried out by leading teams, where applicable. We recommend teams submit to give the most accurate overview of their practices for our consideration.
  • Interviews with prominent experts around the world to inform our research on what market-leading work looks like.
  • Feedback from those in the know – the prominent experts interviewed, as well as GML’s readership, which we invite to recommend teams for inclusion.

Kindly note we do not accept client feedback compiled by or provided via submitting teams.

 

Research timeline

Research for the 2026 edition has now closed. 

For more information, please contact Senior Researcher Lara Porteous.