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Craig Monty, who provides ‘sound and pragmatic advice’ and splits his time between the firm’s Newcastle and Tees Valley offices, leads the ‘impressive’ team at Dickinson Dees LLP. Key highlights included representing PD Teesport in the high-profile trial relating to a £300m deficit in the Pilots’ National Pension Fund.

Ian Collinson’s ‘first-rate’ team at Ward Hadaway includes fraud expert Mark Heath, who recently arrived from Watson Burton LLP, and the ‘outstanding’ Paula Myers. Robert Glassford led a team that acted for Nottingham City Council in novel judicial review proceedings against the Secretary of State for Education relating to funding termination through a BSF programme. Key clients include Persimmon plc, Newcastle Airport and City Electrical Factors. The firm is noted as ‘providing a wide range of funding options’.

At Eversheds LLP, Bill Gilliam is praised for his invaluable industry knowledge, and is considered a ‘tough opponent’. The team recently received new instructions relating to procurement disputes, notably from Kelly Park Caring Agency.

Muckle LLP’s clients ‘cannot recommend the team highly enough’ for its ‘prompt, professional and relevant responses’. Stewart Irvine is currently acting for a national retailer in the defence of £1m-plus claims against three creditors relating to its purchase of 80 stores from a company in administration. Susan Howes recently joined the team from Crutes Law Firm.

Helen Ager’s team at Crutes Law Firm, which includes new arrival David Summerhayes from Watson Burton LLP, successfully acted for a local NHS Foundation Trust in obtaining a £5m award in arbitration against a national housebuilder. Key clients include Bellway plc and Metnor plc.

Gibson & Co has a specialist banking litigation practice, and recently advised on a high-value derivatives dispute in the Commercial Court against Standard Chartered Bank. It is also currently acting for the European Commission at the High Court in an important insolvency-related test case. Clients rate Jane Gibson and Toby Gibson. New clients include Bank of New York Mellon.

Hay & Kilner’s team covers the full gamut of work, particularly for insurance, professional partnership and railway clients. Key highlights included acting for a large waste management company in judicial review proceedings, and on minority and majority shareholder claims. Martin Soloman is a mediator and heads the team.

Sintons LLP is acting for Technology Services Group in a number of defended contractual claims relating to software and hardware systems, and for a specialist finance broker in a misrepresentation claim brought by a major plc. Angus Ashman is ‘very perceptive and provides quality advice in a timely manner’. The firm continues to offer CFAs and ATE insurance to its clients.

Watson Burton LLP offers funding alternatives through ATE insurer FirstAssist, and recently acted in several high-value breach of warranty claims arising from corporate transactions and partnership disputes. It recently saw the departure of Mark Heath to Ward Hadaway, Tristan Meears-White to DWF LLP, and Lee Dixon to Winn Solicitors LLP.

Graeme Ritzema leads the Newcastle-based team at BHP Law, which represented longstanding client Harbro Supplies in a series of multi-party contract disputes over the supply of marble-cutting machines. Property litigation is also a prominent feature of the team’s work.

Jonathon Stokes is the main contact at Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP.

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s Sara Keating, who is praised for her ‘ability to think ahead’, is currently defending a claim in the High Court for injunctive relief, and continues to advise on property litigation matters.

Mark Green and Tim Berg jointly head the team at Short Richardson & Forth LLP, which is currently representing two former directors and 21 minority shareholders in substantial claims against co-directors and majority shareholders for obtaining a secret profit.

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