How accurate is Chambers band rating?

[bigbirdfly]

Are band 1, band 2, band 3, etc. on Chambers fairly accurate representations of the strengths of firms in specific practices?

[Old Gregg]

Yes, but think about whether there's a tangible distinction between Band 1 and, say, Band 2 from the perspective of an associate. There isn't.

[dingbat]

When we considered which law firms to seek out for advice on particular subjects, yes it mattered. Having worked with some of the named lawyers, yes, they are brilliant/fantastic/experts, whatever.
I have seen the difference between a band 4 and the expert in the field