Hall Of Fame

Debt recovery in North West

Bermans

Bermans is known for its handling of high profile debt recovery claims, often with cross border implications. The firm’s clients include such major names as Lloyds and Jardine Norton. The highly experienced Jonathan Berkson, a specialist in commercial recovery work for asset based lenders, leads the team. Andrew Koffman is another key name. Nick Harvey left the firm in September 2022, and is now working at Escalate Law in Liverpool.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Berkson


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Koffman


Testimonials

‘The team at Bermans have a great deal of experience in our field (ABL/Invoice Finance) and both quick to respond, pragmatic and practical in terms of supporting us’

‘We mainly work with Claire McDonnell and have also worked with Jonathan Berkson. They take the time to understand the issue in hand quickly and to try and work out the best solution taking into account speed and cost.’

Key clients

Advance Global Capital Limited


Bibby Financial Services Limited


Jardine Norton Limited


Lloyds Commercial Finance Limited


Novuna Finance


Porter Capital Corporation


Select Invoice Finance Limited


Work highlights


  • Acting for ABL against their client and director for recovery of funds for £1.7M. The claim arises from invoice financing facilities provided by ABL. The debts purchased did not exist.
  • Acting for an English global financier in a claim against and finance company in Malaysia. Claim more than USD$2.6m.
  • Acting on behalf of a specialist diecasting company, which is the Claimant in High Court proceedings, in a defended claim for sums in excess of £1.8 million due under an Asset Purchase Agreement.

Hill Dickinson LLP

Hill Dickinson LLP pursues debt recovery for banks and a range of commercial clients, including a number of transport sector companies. The practice has a strong record in matters with a cross jurisdictional angle. The team is led by Sharon Williamson, who has experience handling both enforcement actions and prevention strategy. Commercial litigator Kate Steele, who was promoted to partner in 2022 is also key. John Quicler has since left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Sharon Williamson


Other key lawyers:

Kate Steele


Testimonials

‘If my main point of contact is not available, there is always a member of the team to assist with my query.’

‘Having worked with Sharon Williamson for a number of years, I find her professional, exceptionally knowledgeable and always happy to offer sound advice. When looking to instruct a solicitor, Sharon is my first choice as I know I will get honest and reliable advice.’

‘Hill Dickinson are extremely approachable and knowledgeable and are happy to provide advice in complex matters. The team are an absolute asset to the business and nothing is too much trouble’

Key clients

Thomas Hardie Commercials Limited


Agilent Technologies Limited


Irwell Street Metal Company Limited


Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited


Metro Bank


Acuant UK Limited


Piccadilly Village Management Limited


Bibby Commercial Finance Limited


Bibby Factors Limited


Bibby Factors Scotland Limited


Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


NHS Business Services Authority (Pensions)


VG Limited


MJ Birtwistle & Co Limited


The Delivery Group


KPT Solutions Limited


Bruton Lloyd LLP


UK Oil and Gas PLC


BTS European Limited


Bullimores Sand and Gravel Limited


Belvoir Farm Drinks Limited


VA Hutchinson Flooring Limited


Wedo Finance Limited


Cynergy Business Finance Limited


Kroll Advisory Limited


Express Electrical Distributors Limited


De Pinna Notaries


Kuehne & Nagel Limited


Work highlights


  • Provides debt recovery services to the Bibby Group to obtain payment of overdue invoices which have been assigned to them, which often enables them to make a claim under a Debtor Protection Insurance Policy as well as issuing their daily letters of demand.
  • Acts for freight service provider Kuehne + Nagel Limited on various debt recovery matters, often with an international element.
  • Recovery of an outstanding sales ledger for Kroll Advisory Limited following the supplier being placed into Administration.

The Keith Jones Partnership

With its ‘business to business’ debt recovery expertise, The Keith Jones Partnership, based in Birkenhead, provides a specialist service in pursuing debtors, often in other jurisdictions including within the EU, Isle of Man and Chanel Islands, Africa and South America. The team is led jointly by the highly experienced Keith Jones, construction industry specialist Nicholas Brown and tech sector expert Brenda Li. Kris Minks, whose focus is on the recruitment agency sector, is also key.

Practice head(s):

Keith Jones; Nicholas Brown; Brenda Li


Other key lawyers:

Kris Minks


Testimonials

‘Keith Jones’ practice has excellent communication that is very important when working with clients. They were able to identify what is relevant out of a mass of information and explain it very clearly and concisely.’

‘Being very efficient, being able to answer our questions asap. Committed to ensuring that client succeeds with all tasks, duties and projects. Dedication Trustworthy Always available Great communication’

‘The Keith Jones Partnership really go above & beyond in their Customer service. Keith personally dealt with my case and was incredibly insightful, helpful and provided us with confidence and a clear understanding of procedure.’

Work highlights


  • Advised Punjab Exotic Foods Limited with regard to recovery a debt which resulted in a Judgment Order in excess of £38,000 obtained at Trial. The debtor failed to pay the Judgment debt and as a result of tactical enforcement advice we gave, client successfully made full recovery.

Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP specialises in debt recovery for the public sector, notably representing the Cabinet Office as well as a number of local councils and CLGs like the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. The firm also represents a range of private sector clients, particularly in heavy industries such as energy and steel. The team is jointly led by experienced litigator and trained mediator Andrew Cox, consultant public sector debt recovery and defended actions expert Mark Burch and insolvency specialist Benjamin Davies. The group was bolstered by the arrival of John Quicler, who contributes his vast expertise in banking and finance litigation.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Cox; Mark Burch; Benjamin Davies


Other key lawyers:

John Quicler


Testimonials

‘Weightmans are committed to enhancing the customer journey and recognise that for many customers, entering into claims and/or litigation can be a daunting process, and they ensure that customers are treated with empathy and care.’

‘Each of the individuals we work closely with at Weightmans are always fully focused on finding the right outcomes for our customers and will always ensure the customer is at the heart of everything we do, in line with our company principles.’

‘The staff are always professional, helpful and knowledgeable and give very precise advice.’

‘Excellent success rate at which it has recovered debts for our organisation. The practice provides advice and an approach to recovering debts which it has tailored to our organisations requirements. The way that the practice keeps us as the client updated at each stage of the debts recovery has been invaluable.’

‘Our organisation has worked with Mark Burch over the last 18 months. Marks professionalism, advice and drive has transformed how our organisation has pursued its debts. Mark has been responsible for the successful recovery of our organisations debts.’

‘We have using the Debt Recovery services of Weightmans LLP for over 10 years and have been very satisfied with every aspect of the Debt Recovery process they have carried out.’

‘We have been dealing mostly with Mark Burch and have been very satisfied with the level of service he has provided during the past 10 years and the previous 20 years before that with other law firms.’

‘They handle all our queries and reply with the way forward in a very timely manner. They have very good use of and access to efficient technology.’

Key clients

Motor Insurers’ Bureau


Johnsons Textile Services Limited


The Cabinet Office


E.ON Energy Solutions Limited


Hillfoot Steel Limited


Sovini Group Companies


Murray Plate Group Limited


Selby District Council


NWF Agriculture Limited


Specific & General Services Limited


Radius Payment Solutions Limited/UK Fuels Limited


NWF Fuels Limited


Jones Lang LaSalle


Deralam Laminates Limited


Davis Coffer Lyons Limited


Liverpool City Council


Work highlights


  • Acting for the MIB under a Service Legal Agreement to recover monies (paid out under the Uninsured Drivers Agreement) from uninsured drivers.
  • Provides Murray Metals with ongoing debt recovery requirements.
  • Provides debt recovery services to the Cabinet Office, recovering overpayments of civil service pensions from members of the Civil Service Pension scheme and/or the Estates of former members.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher's debt recovery practice assists clients through pre-action and court claims to enforcement. The team also handles insolvency related work, including disputed and defended claims. Work for insurers and pension providers is a key specialism, with practice head David Robinson having a high level of experience in financial services sector debt recovery. Associate Rachel Flower is also key.

Practice head(s):

David Robinson


Other key lawyers:

Rachel Flower


Key clients

Equita Limited


JLA Limited


Firstport Limited


Cloud Student Homes


Estates & Management Limited


UD Group


West One Loan Limited


Work highlights


  • Securing Summary Judgment for (a minimum) of £5.6m for West One Loans Limited in a disputed matter following default on a bringing loan facility.
  • Acting on the bulk recovery of Ground Rents for Estates & Management, resulting in circa £1m of monies recovered on behalf of landlords.
  • Acting across multiple matters for JLA recovering sums due under lease agreements, making successful return of good as applications and dealing with disputed claims relating to the applicability of force majure events during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Gorvins Solicitors

Operating in conjunction with the firm’s dispute resolution and commercial litigation teams, the Gorvins Solicitors debt recovery practice represents a number of credit unions as well as clients in specific industries. Practice head Mark Deverell is frequently instructed for debt collection and recovery work, while recently promoted partner Danielle Clements offers expertise in contentious probate matters. Associate Sunita Patel, experienced in debt collection outside of this jurisdiction, is also key. David Guest left the firm in December 2022.


Practice head(s):

Mark Deverell


Other key lawyers:

Danielle Clements; Sunita Patel


Work highlights


Greenhalgh Kerr

Wigan based Greenhalgh Kerr advises clients chiefly in the asset finance and leasing finance sectors. The firm has a key specialism in debt recovery work for local authorities and displays a strong record in obtaining and overturning court orders, including insolvency orders and substitution orders. The team is jointly led by local authority specialist Richard Kerr, the leasing and landlord & tenant focussed Daniel Tate and defended litigation expert Steven Owens.

Practice head(s):

Richard Kerr; Daniel Tate; Steven Owens


Other key lawyers:

Gemma Hackett


Testimonials

‘The team are very knowledgeable and thorough. Excellent level of reporting and insight has been developed at our request. Friendly and approachable management team.’

‘Greenhalgh Kerr is, I think, fairly unique in the Legal sector. We have dealt with them for some 20years and established a great relationship with them. This is due to their flexibility and interpretation of situations and their willingness to involve their colleagues.’

‘They are knowledgeable, pro-active and personable and work extremely well as a team and are not afraid to look at our suggestions as a client and work to a flexible solution’

Key clients

Asset Advantage


Preston City Council


Bradford City Council


Durham City Council


Zuto Car Finance


Mobile Money


Ocasa Residential


Work highlights


  • Acted for an asset finance company to recover a large debt owed by a guarantor director determined to avoid creditors.
  • Instructed by Asset Advantage to overturn a debtor’s IVA and obtain a bankruptcy order, allowing trustees to investigate a suspicious property transaction.
  • Acting for a long standing finance lender clients, in applying to the High Court of Justice for a Global Substitution order, substituting the existing client with a new client purchasing the debt.

Pannone Corporate LLP

Pannone Corporate LLP acts for a number of high profile brands, chiefly covering pre-action debt recovery work. The firm also represents housing associations and volume debt collections agencies. The team is led by Paul Jagger, a mid-2022 arrival from Ward Hadaway LLP, with support from highly experienced insolvency procedures specialist Karl Williams. Denise Lamb is a further key name, acting on much of the firm’s commercial debt recovery work.

Practice head(s):

Paul Jagger


Other key lawyers:

Karl Williams; Denise Lamb; Simon Fitzgerald


Testimonials

‘Extremely knowledgeable in their field, respond to queries promptly, they are on the ball with diarised items, and provide an all round excellent service.’

‘I think the biggest strength we have found from working with many legal firms is the communication. Pannone are very good at replying and explaining their process. We can call them anytime and they pick up – not the case with other firms. We also find their fees highly competitive.’

‘Denise Lamb has been exceptional at meeting our needs – sometimes we need urgent advice and it may just be a simple yes or no! Denise is always on hand to help and she managed to make it all feel like a pleasure and not an annoyance. Paul Hagger has been very helpful also, he invited us in for a meeting to discuss our needs face to face. We have been invited into another practice before and they tried to charge us for their time!’

‘The personal touch and the relationships with people at Pannone. They have held inhouse training at their Manchester office to help myself and my staff understand the legal process.’

‘Karl Williams and Paul Jagger – Very professional and extremely helpful.’

Key clients

Exertis (UK) Limited


Hilti (GB) Limited


L’Oreal (UK) Ltd


Kellan Group Limited


Ryder Limited


PPL PRS Limited


Bolton School


Edmundson Electrical Limited


DHL International (UK) Limited


Work highlights