The Legal 500

United Kingdom > London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Commercial litigation
  2. Leading individuals

Leading individuals

Clifford Chance is appreciated for its ‘dedication, clear advice and availability’. The practice acted for JPMorgan in the headline Court of Appeal hearing involving a claim for alleged mis-selling of emerging market debt instruments. Ian Moulding is ‘calm and imaginative’; Julian Acratopulo is ‘prompt to react and efficient’; and Matthew Newick has ‘formidable experience’. Jeremy Sandelson heads the team, and Kelwin Nicholls was appointed as partner.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ‘always remains focused on the objectives’. The practice advised RBS in the high-profile dispute between Liverpool FC and its US owners. The team was also involved in many high-profile global investigations. Christopher Pugh is global practice group head; and Ian Taylor, Geoff Nicholas. Paul Bowden and James Kennedy are ‘efficient and responsive’. Patrick Swain, Raj Parker and Paul Lomas are also recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP ‘delivers what you would expect from the country’s best all-round commercial litigators’. Recent work includes advising an insolvent Swiss company in relation to English law claims against Lehman Brothers affiliates. Sonya Leydecker heads the practice; and Robert Hunter, Kevin Lloyd and Ted Greeno are highly rated. Hardeep Nahal left for McGuireWoods London LLP.

A ‘first-choice firm for professionalism’, Hogan Lovells International LLP was involved in bringing claims for JSC BTA Bank in London in relation to a series of apparently fraudulent transactions, and acted in three highly publicised pensions cases. Lawson Caisley ‘gives his clients a first-class response’. Patrick Sherrington, Chris Hardman and Andrea Monks are also recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP has ‘some of the most talented lawyers in the country’. The practice advised the principal defendants in a claim brought in the Chancery Division of the High Court relating to the sale of Kazakhgold and its subsidiary gold mining operation in Kazakhstan. Tim House’s ‘strategic vision and tactical guile are second to none’, and Jonathan Hitchin ‘inspires confidence’. Guy Henderson, Arnondo Chakrabarti and Peter Watson are also recommended.

Clyde & Co LLP’s promotion of Mike Swangard to the partnership and lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic from Halliwells and David Leckie from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP boosted its practice in the commodities and energy sectors. The firm continues to work across its core sectors of trade, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, and has growing capability in banking and finance, and technology matters. Paul Friedman is recommended.

The team at Linklaters LLP ‘throws itself into a case, and is robust but sensible’. The practice advised the joint administrators of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) in the High Court RASCALS application concerning the ownership of approximately £1bn of securities. Michael Bennett is national practice head. Satindar Dogra is ‘thorough in his approach’, and Kathryn Ludlow, Christopher Style QC and Euan Clarke are also recommended.

Simmons & Simmons focuses on financial institutions, energy and infrastructure, TMT and life sciences disputes. The team successfully represented Shell in the Court of Appeal regarding losses suffered following the Buncefield oil terminal explosion. Ian Hammond is international practice head, and Colin Passmore leads the litigation team. Nick Benwell, Christopher Braithwaite, Richard Bunce, Caroline Hunter-Yeats and David Sandy are all well-respected practitioners.

Slaughter and May’s team is ‘commercially very savvy’. It recently advised Liverpool FC in a number of urgent, high-profile court applications. Tax and competition litigation remain active areas for the practice. Richard Clark and Sarah Lee are well-respected litigators, and Nick Archer ‘must have a crystal ball, as things always pan out the way he forecasts’.

Stephenson Harwood’s team ‘masters all the details of a case whilst retaining a global view’. The team represented the former owner of BTA Bank in defending high-value High Court claims for alleged misappropriation and breaches of duties. John Fordham ‘offers outstanding service’; Sunil Gadhia’s ‘litigation strategy views are valued’; and Louis Flannery and Richard Gwynne are also recommended. Sean Jeffrey joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, along with Sara George from Allen & Overy LLP.

‘Totally trustworthy on every level’, Addleshaw Goddard LLP attracted a range of new instructions in financial services litigation, and continued to be instructed by a Russian oligarch in relation to claims he brought in the High Court. Contentious head Richard Leedham specialises in insurance and reinsurance litigation; and John Kelleher leads on product liability matters. Ben Lowans and Mark Molyneux were promoted to the partnership.

At Ashurst LLP, Wilson Thorburn defended RBS in a claim brought by a Taiwanese shipping company which traded freight forwards and options through the bank. Edward Sparrow, Ronnie King and Ben Tidswell are other key figures in the practice. Mark Clarke was promoted to the partnership.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s litigators are ‘technically competent and cost conscious’. The practice is known for its energy, construction and insurance expertise, and saw an increase in financial crisis related disputes. Highlights included acting for the world’s largest shipbroker in headline litigation involving defrauding allegations. Liam O’Connell heads the dispute resolution practice, with Tim Hardy leading on commercial litigation. Guy Pendell, Duncan Aldred and Kirsty Hick are key figures.

Mayer Brown International LLP ‘combines the best elements of a Magic Circle practice with those of a US firm’. David Allen is joint head of the global litigation team; Ian McDonald heads the London commercial dispute resolution practice; and the ‘experienced and sensible’ Andrew Legg heads the finance dispute resolution team. Clare Canning ‘combines steely resolve, intellectual rigour, and conscientiousness’, and Miles Robinson’s ‘attention to detail is second to none’. The team advised the HM Treasury’s independent valuer in assessing compensation due to former Northern Rock shareholders following the bank’s nationalisation.

Norton Rose LLP ramped up with David McKie joining from DLA Piper UK LLP along with Paul Morris from SNR Denton. The practice has sector strengths in energy and transport in addition to financial institutions, and recently acted for the US trustee of the liquidation of Lehman Brothers in a trial concerning the ownership of securities. Deirdre Walker heads the practice; and insurance specialist Susan Dingwall, former practice head Antony Dutton, Sam Eastwood, Charles Evans and contentious construction expert Chris Hill are also recommended.

Reed Smith’s contentious practice includes shipping, energy trade and commodities groups, as well as contentious real estate, construction, employment and competition teams. The firm acted for a hedge fund in relation to the management of three structured investment vehicles. Commercial disputes head Richard Spafford is known in the financial services area, and has experience in professional negligence and insurance. David Warne, Charles Hewetson and Belinda Paisley are highly rated.

SJ Berwin LLP ‘puts a great team together for cases’. It acted for GMWDA in a claim brought for loss of a contract valued at approximately £4bn. Nicola Bridge has ‘that rare combination of being diligent and calm under pressure, whilst able to be aggressive when needed’; litigation head Craig Pollack ‘gets into the nitty gritty of a dispute’; and Tim Beale is ‘a strong communicator’. Nick Brocklesby is ‘experienced in complex litigation’. Rachel Couter joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Taylor Wessing LLP ‘achieves very impressive results’. Group head Richard Marsh ‘quickly sees through to the core of the matter’; Laurence Lieberman is a banking and financial services disputes expert; and David de Ferrars heads fraud matters, with Anthony Menzies and James Crabtree also recommended on the fraud side. Financial disputes head Shane Gleghorn is ‘a proactive, strategic thinker’. Litigation partners Julian Randall, Tim Strong and Andrew Howell joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. The firm recently assisted ITS in unravelling a complex international fraud involving £52m being taken from nine pension schemes.

Baker & McKenzie LLP is noted for public law, civil fraud, product liability, trusts and pensions cases. The team represented Ineos Manufacturing Scotland in the recovery of CO2 emissions allowances. John Leadley is highly rated, and Tom Cassels is ‘very sound and grounded’. Andrew Keltie handles cases involving fraud and asset-tracing claims, and specialises in trusts matters. Clients praise the firm’s ‘seemingly limitless resources’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP saw its former head of litigation Julian Randall, along with litigation partner Andrew Howell and financial institutions head Tim Strong, leave for Taylor Wessing LLP, after which the commercial litigation and arbitration practice merged with the professional and financial disputes group under the leadership of Sarah Clover and Neil Jamieson, who ‘excels in his litigation nous’. Core sectors for the practice include insurance and reinsurance, professional practices, aerospace, transport and trade, technology, manufacturing and healthcare.

Led by Nathan Willmott, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team attracts very high praise from clients. The practice saw an increase in international work and also in fraud-related claims. It acted for the issuer in proceedings which have far-reaching implications for UK-based securitisations.

DLA Piper UK LLP is seeing an increasing amount of work from South Eastern Europe, as well as continuing to handle instructions from Eastern Europe and the CIS. Mark Franklin is known for aviation disputes, while energy cases are a key area for practice head Matthew Saunders and Philip Chong. IT disputes expert Lee Gluyas is ‘good at dealing with expert witness issues’, and Richard McGrane is ‘a measured and tenacious negotiator’. Ioannis Alexopoulos is ‘a high-quality professional’, and Nick Marsh is ‘always available’.

Ince & Co advises in disputes across shipping, insurance and reinsurance, finance, energy and offshore, and aviation. Ben Ogden is recommended for contentious insurance work and commercial disputes; and Stuart Shepherd is known for commodities, shipping and commercial disputes, with an increasing focus on fraud litigation.

Jones Day is ‘up amongst the best while remaining down to earth’. In the second stage of the practice’s work for Langbar International, the team secured a further recovery for Langbar and its 2,000-plus shareholders. Craig Shuttleworth is recommended; Stephen Brown is ‘cool under pressure’; Lee Coffey is known for multi-jurisdictional disputes; and Sion Richards concentrates on finance disputes, fraud litigation and contentious insolvency.

Lawrence Graham LLP saw a rise in international disputes, and advised on various construction-related fraud claims brought against BVI companies. Andrew Dobson and Andrew Witts are key figures, while James Curle is noted for cross-border disputes in the banking, funds and financial services sectors, as well as for structured product disputes. Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry is experienced in banking, regulatory, insolvency and fraud matters.

Nabarro LLP’s ‘responses are practical and relevant’. The practice advised Etihad Airways and Aldar Properties in their successful appeal against a judgment issued in favour of Force India Formula One Team. Jonathan Warne heads the team; Peter Fitzpatrick is ‘adept at managing complicated cases’; and George Maling is also recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP is ‘cost effective’, and noted for its construction and IT disputes experience. Nigel Kissack heads the practice; Rob McCallough is ‘without equal for IT disputes’; David Barker is ‘good at solving complex problems’; and Stefan Paciorek ‘gets the job done’. The firm recently welcomed Richard Slaven and his team from Halliwells.

Travers Smith LLP’s team is ‘commercially sound and technically excellent’. It acted for the joint administrators of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) in a dispute with another bank involving assets valued at over $2bn. Litigation head Jonathan Leslie, Stephen Paget-Brown, Andrew King, Rob Fell, Toby Robinson and Caroline Edwards are recommended.

White & Case LLP ‘shows significant strength in depth’, and expanded with the arrival of the SFO’s former legal and operational policy head Charlie Monteith. The firm represented the Cukurova Group in a dispute concerning the ownership of a controlling shareholding in Turkey’s largest mobile phone company. John Reynolds is ‘client focused’; and Alistair Graham, John Higham QC, Robert Wheal and Jason Yardley are also highly rated.

Praised for its ‘strong sector knowledge’, Bird & Bird acted for a Swedish pension fund in relation to proceedings issued against its securities lending agent, the dispute concerning losses arising out of investments made in Sigma Finance. Jane Player is ‘fantastic for strategy’; Ludovic de Walden is ‘an excellent negotiator’; Sophie Eyre is ‘tactically astute’; and Jeremy Sharman has ‘an eye for detail’. Sarah Walker is also rated.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s ‘offers excellent representation at a very competitive cost’. The team represented Total in civil claims relating to the 2005 Buncefield explosion. John Bramhall ‘secures good deals for his clients’; Jonathan Brogden is ‘a methodical lawyer’; and Karen Boto is ‘extremely capable’. Richard Highley, Nick Young and Philip Davis are also recommended.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s key mandates included a high-value bondholder dispute, and multi-jurisdictional fraud investigations. Lord Peter Goldsmith QC is a ‘superb advocate’; and Sophie Lamb and Karolos Seeger are ‘both excellent’. Peter Rees QC left to join Royal Dutch Shell as legal director.

Dechert LLP recently welcomed Neil Gerrard and Jonathan Pickworth from DLA Piper UK LLP. The practice assisted Pitney Bowes with breach of confidence claims. Bernard Caulfield heads the team, and Andrew Hearn is ‘an excellent litigator’.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s UK practice principally serves clients in the energy, insurance and finance sectors. Globally, the practice is involved in the Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, and was recently instructed in several financial disputes. David Waldron is ‘pragmatic and proactive’; and Peter Sharp and Deborah Ruff ‘can maintain a high-intensity work pace over a lengthy period of time’.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP hired Rod Cowper, formerly head of litigation at pre-merger Squire Sanders & Dempsey. The firm has recently been active in asset recovery and corruption work. Kevin Perry is ‘a robust litigator’, and James Maton is ‘unflappable’. Laurence Harris acts in commercial and public law disputes, and leads the London product liability team.

Edwin Coe LLP has a niche as a class action practice, dealing in particular with financial and securities fraud disputes. It acted for shareholders in Cattles, who formed an action group in relation to losses suffered as a result of an error in the company’s accounts. The team is ‘encouraging, supportive and at the same time realistic’. David Greene’s ‘strength is managing complex cases with hundreds of clients’; senior partner Christopher Berry is ‘a safe pair of hands’, and Nick Neocleous is ‘a hardworking and tough litigator’. Michael Whitton specialises in insurance litigation.

Eversheds LLP acts in disputes across the financial services, transport, technology, media and telecoms industries, with cross-border cases being a major growth area for the firm. Mark Davenport is recommended; and John Heaps is ‘exceptional for strategic advice’. Neville Byford and associate Zoe Holland joined from Morgan Lewis.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides ‘quality advice and is responsive to tight deadlines’. The practice advised on the Lehman Brothers client money case, currently on appeal to the Supreme Court, and saw an increase in instructions originating from the CIS and the Middle East. Peter Stewart leads the team; and CIS specialist Simon Moore is ‘a strong intellect and clear thinker on complex pre-litigation matters’. Jonathan Ray-Smith joined from McFaddens LLP, while Michael Mulligan moved to Harney Westwood & Riegels’ BVI office.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP is known for contentious shipping, commodity contract, insurance coverage and insolvency matters. The practice advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSL in recovering $600m-plus loans. Steven Paull focuses on contentious M&A and shareholder agreements, and project and operating agreements; and Noel Campbell is noted for financial litigation.

Iain Mackie leads the practice at Macfarlanes LLP, and his recent work includes acting for the Municipalities of Haugesund and Narvik in claims against Depfa Bank concerning swap transactions. Geoff Steward advised in a High Court breach of contract dispute.

McGuireWoods London LLP’s 2009 recruitment of a team from Steptoe & Johnson, including Adam Greaves, has now settled in. Greaves’ ‘scope of expertise is remarkable’. The practice saw a fair share of insolvency-related litigation, was active in the area of anti-corruption, and is particularly known for work involving Nordic countries and Russia. Michael Tackley heads the team, and senior associate Rose Parlane has ‘a good grasp of the law’. Hardeep Nahal joined from Herbert Smith LLP.

Mishcon de Reya’s practice is driven by ‘exceptional specialist fraud work’. The team successfully acted in a fraudulent misrepresentation claim brought against a director of a foreign exchange business that went into liquidation. Kasra Nouroozi leads the team, and Gary Miller ‘gets his client the best possible result’. Rowena Herdman-Smith is also recommended.

The ‘solutions-driven’ Richard Bamforth was appointed litigation head at Olswang, succeeding Martin Davies, who left for Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP with Alex Gerbi. The practice’s reputation extends beyond the media sphere in which it has traditionally been pre-eminent, and it recently advised in Commercial Court proceedings that relate to an allegedly sham loan of $120m and loan facility of approximately $345m. Steven Baker’s ‘unflappable presence is a boon in any big case’. Andrew Aglionby joined from Baker & McKenzie’s Hong Kong office.

Osborne Clarke ‘does a fantastic job of positioning itself as a credible and top-level alternative to even the biggest commercial litigation groups’. The practice saw a surge in activity in the areas of financial services and cross-border matters, particularly CIS-related work. Team head Adrian Lifely has ‘good instincts’, and Ed Crosse is a ‘talented litigator’. Senior associate David Kendell is ‘a rising star’.

Known for its insurance experience, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP ‘takes on cases that other claims funders would shy away from’. The group has seen increased activity in claims launched by creditors of insolvent businesses and negligence cases against professional groups. Tim Brown is ‘practical and down to earth’, and former Eversheds LLP insurance specialist David Webster has ‘a good track record’. Former Reed Smith banking litigation head Tom Hibbert is recommended, as is group head Geraldine Elliott. Rupert Boswall focuses on complex financial disputes.

SNR Denton’s Liz Tout is ‘a formidable team leader’, and Richard Caird is also recommended. The firm successfully represented Depfa in a swaps dispute with two Norwegian municipalities.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is experienced in handling disputes in the shipping, energy, offshore construction and finance sectors. The team secured victory in a Commercial Court action concerning the termination of a ship finance lease, and also obtained a decision of the English Supreme Court in favour of the Government of Pakistan. Andrew Savage is ‘a great strategic thinker’. Robert Platt joined from Curtis Davis Garrard LLP.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges provides ‘high-quality advice together with a commercial approach’. Significant mandates included instructions for Kaupthing Bank, and acting in a £1.5bn High Court and European Court of Justice VAT case. Matthew Shankland ‘manages cases to successful conclusions’. Juliet Blanch joined from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.

Bristows has expertise in civil fraud, insolvency, complex cross-border disputes and financial services, and has seen an increase in property-related disputes. Kevin Appleton is highly rated, as is the ‘very good’ Mark Brown. Geoffrey Gauci, Charles Pugh and James Irvine are also key figures.

Brown Rudnick LLP’s lack of conflicts means it is well positioned to act against major financial institutions. It represented a Dutch pension fund in respect of potential claims against the asset management arm of one of the world’s largest investment banks. Neil Micklethwaite is ‘excellent’, and admired for his ability to ‘process input from different sides in a calm and inspiring way’; and Stephen Hallam is ‘especially helpful’. The recruitment of Steven Friel from Davies Arnold Cooper LLP further boosted the practice.

Byrne and Partners LLP is ‘a small but highly focused firm’ that is regularly instructed to act against banks and financial services institutions, and has expanded its insurance and reinsurance litigation practice with the recruitment of Yvonne Jefferies from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. The practice acted in a claim by 550 claimants who invested in tax planning schemes. Bernard O’Sullivan and Nicola Boulton ‘cannot be recommended highly enough’, and Jefferies ‘provides clear, concise advice without fuss’. Elizabeth Seborg was promoted to the partnership.

Charles Russell LLP advised Enigma in a multimillion-pound dispute involving a complex IT software contract, and John Sykes led a team litigating complex matters of banking practice in its role as external administrator of Awal Bank (In Administration) in Bahrain. Stewart Hey is ‘shrewd and has a first-rate network of contacts which he can bring into play’, and the team is noted for its ‘ability to operate in multiple jurisdictions’.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has successfully built up a team of seven lawyers in its UK litigation practice, with Jonathan Kelly ‘an excellent choice for any serious dispute’. The practice was counsel to a joint venture in a shareholder dispute over control of a $2bn Russian retail group, and also advised a number of sovereigns in litigation arising out of sovereign debt defaults.

Cooke, Young & Keidan ‘provides excellent advice at far lower fees’. It acted for funds managed by Highland in a £35m dispute over a financing facility provided for a CLO securitisation. Gerald Cooke and Philip Young have ‘a high level of in-depth knowledge and experience’, and Marc Keidan ‘positions a case such that the other side finds settling to be a far better solution than risking court’.

Covington & Burling LLP acts in disputes involving complex corporate transactions, product liability for pharmaceutical and manufacturing clients, wrongful denials of insurance coverage for policyholders, and IP disputes involving software publishing and life sciences. The team is also experienced in cross-jurisdictional investigations. Roger Enock is recommended.

Known particularly for tax and fraud disputes, Dorsey & Whitney has expanded its London commercial litigation practice. The team acted for 3M Company in its defence of a claim brought in the Commercial Court for revenues due under an earn-out provision in a share purchase agreement. Nick Burkill is ‘a determined litigator’, and Tim Maloney is also highly rated.

Farrer & Co’s core areas are commercial and financial litigation. Team head Jeremy Gordon is ‘a disarmingly courteous and diplomatic litigator’; James Price ‘simply gets on with what needs to be done without pretension or ego’; and Adrian Parkhouse is ‘a brilliant all-round litigator’. Gavin Bacon joined from Simmons & Simmons.

Fasken Martineau LLP’s ‘advice is always commercial, and based upon a good understanding of the law and the industry involved’. The team advised Kuwait Airways in litigation arising out of the alleged theft of the client’s fleet by Iraqi Airways during the invasion of Kuwait. Robert Paydon heads the group, and Chris Gooding, Adrian Jones and Sukhi Kaler are also key contacts. Alex Ferrari is an ‘aggressive litigator and problem solver who achieves favourable and prompt results’.

In addition to its commercial litigation expertise, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP has a white-collar criminal and regulatory team led by Ian Ryan, as well as civil fraud specialists Sue Thackeray and Steve McCann, and contentious insolvency expert Tim Bignell. Thackeray attracts high praise from clients, and McCann is ‘always calm in a crisis’. Andrew Wigston led the team in advising Fashion TV Russia in relation to claims arising out of a licence agreement. Group head Philip Rubens is also recommended.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s commercial litigation practice extends to insolvency, employment, regulatory investigations and investigations by the SEC and DoJ. Philip Rocher and Lord Charles Falconer QC are recommended; Falconer represents clients before regulatory bodies and foreign courts.

Irwin Mitchell LLP ‘staffs cost-effectively, and the quality of output is high’. The team recently acted in litigation against a bank in relation to a fraudulent loan. Jeremy Marshall ‘gets things done. He also manages the team effectively and in an inclusive manner, engendering confidence’.

K&L Gates’ ‘service is excellent’. The team advised investment manager Proteus in a High Court claim for management and performance fees due. Team head John Magnin is ‘strategically brilliant’, and Robert Hadley is also highly rated.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s London practice includes seven partners. The team represented a Kuwaiti provider of financial services in a series of disputes before the English courts. Philip Clifford is recommended.

Lewis Silkin LLP acted for Fulham FC in an unfair prejudice petition brought against the Premier League and its chairman. Tom Coates is ‘an outstanding, strategic litigator’; Clive Greenwood handles commercially sensitive partnership and LLP disputes; and Philip Foster advises in complex regulatory infrastructure matters.

Memery Crystal LLP’s ‘retention of its independence adds value at a personal interaction level’. The team assisted in a dispute concerning the termination of a joint operating agreement related to a $1bn Algerian oil and gas project. Harvey Rands ‘formulates views which combine the pragmatic, commercial and legal aspects of a situation’; and Bree Taylor is also recommended.

Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP covers civil, regulatory and corporate criminal proceedings, and recently defended the largest price-fixing case in Europe. Jonathan Wheeler has ‘a first-class brain’, and Alan Owens has ‘good judgement’. Kevin Roberts is also a key contact.

Payne Hicks Beach is a strong choice ‘when the stakes are high and results are required’. The group’s commercial litigation expertise is complemented by expertise in private client, family and property disputes, as well as professional negligence, tax and sports cases. Team head Richard Butcher ‘pursues a case until the end result is achieved’; and Stephen King has ‘a tough but sensible approach’.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP ‘provides detailed technical advice in a manner that is easily understood’. The practice’s core area is civil fraud, but it also handles commercial litigation and shareholder disputes, competition litigation and trust disputes. Senior partner Keith Oliver ‘sets the standards for the firm and is reflective of those standards’; Jonathan Tickner is ‘accessible and speedy’; and Sarah Gabriel is also highly rated.

Salans saw an upturn in banking and financial sector litigation, and also in claims against directors for misfeasance, wrongful and fraudulent trading, and professional negligence claims. Adrian Giles is ‘commercial and easy to deal with’, and senior partner Lionel Rosenblatt and Smeetesh Kakkad are also recommended.

Jo Rickard heads the group at Shearman & Sterling LLP, which recently advised the purchasers of Liverpool FC in court proceedings relating to the attempt by the previous owners of the club to prevent the sale. Richard Kelly is also recommended.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s ‘advice is timely, and focused on the questions asked’. The team is building a reputation for its work alongside the firm’s financial services group, working on investigations and advising on corporate crime issues. Stephen Dobson has ‘a pragmatic approach to issues’. Jonathan Whitehead handles contract and corporate disputes, professional negligence cases, class actions and financial services litigation.

Squire Sanders Hammonds is known for media and advertising disputes, as well as sports-related cases, and team head Paul Oxnard is experienced in heavy-engineering and finance cases, injunctive work, white-collar fraud matters, and energy and telecoms disputes. Simon Price leads the contentious financial services and pensions practices in London, and Vicky Brown advises advertising and marketing clients. Sports law head Stephen Sampson handles disputes over players, IPR issues, broadcasting disputes and the full range of contract/tort disputes.

Steptoe & Johnson is noted for telecoms, technology, energy, insurance and international trade disputes, and has particular strength in Russia and the CIS, India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Ray Werbicki is recommended. Tom Sprange left for King & Spalding International LLP, while insurance litigator Damian Cleary joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

Stewarts Law LLP acts against major UK banks, but also acts in commercial disputes, fraud, professional negligence, property, insolvency and international trade matters. It is appreciated for its ‘deep knowledge and expertise’. Clive Zietman heads the department; Sean Upson is ‘tremendously clever’; and Jane Colston is also highly recommended. Andrew Shaw is also a key contact. The firm recently acquired litigation law practice Masseys LLP.

Thomas Eggar LLP is ‘good at relationship building’. The practice acted in a multimillion-pound dispute arising from a purchase of assets. Victoria Brackett ‘understands clients ’ businesses’, and Robert Kenyon also attracts praise.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com