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Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

‘One of the best firms for commercial litigation’, Blake Lapthorn delivers ‘a class performance’ and ‘has no equal when it comes to handling fraud claims’. The team is led by Chris Potts, who ‘works tirelessly’ and acts for clients such as Hitachi, Mercedes Benz and Santander. Jonathan Lloyd-Jones is ‘a canny and wise litigator who gives extremely clear advice’.

The ‘very impressive’ Clarkslegal LLP is ‘a natural choice for litigation’ thanks to its team of ‘sophisticated lawyers’. Practice head Antony Morris is ‘a very strong litigator with a very pragmatic and commercial approach’, and Chris Tayton is ‘dependable in the engine room of a heavy case’. Clients include BMW, Autoglass and Carillion.

With a team including a number of former City litigators, Pitmans LLP has seen an increase in shareholder matters, guarantee claims and misrepresentation disputes. Practice chair Sue O’Brien handles complex commercial litigation, often with an international element, and is also an ADR-accredited mediator. Tim Clark is recommended for his experience in IT-related matters and company and shareholder disputes.

Shoosmiths’ client base includes IKEA, Calor Gas and Hewlett-Packard. The department is led by Stuart Little, who has expertise in the technology sector and corporate disputes, and includes Paul Eccles, a commercial insurance litigation specialist who acts almost exclusively for corporate claimants. In 2011, the firm represented Superior Seals in a dispute over the ownership of business-critical software.

Boyes Turner provides ‘commerciality and thoughtful advice that goes to the heart of the client’s business needs’. Property litigation expert Gary Parkinson leads the dispute resolution team, which includes Mike Robinson and associate Stephen Baker, who ‘impresses with how quickly he grasps issues at stake’.

Henmans LLP is ‘at the cutting edge of its chosen specialisms’; it is adept at handling disputes relating to corporate and commercial issues, and has niche expertise in product liability claims for motor manufacturers and contentious trusts and probate. Sarah Foster and Duncan Crine co-head the department.

Manches LLP’s client base includes Jimmy Choo and the Natural Environment Research Council. Recent team changes saw David Pritchard take over as department head from Julie Bond, and the promotion of Rachael Parman, who is ‘simply the best IP litigator in the marketplace’.

The ‘exceptional’ team at Morgan Cole is noted for its ‘high business acumen combined with practical guidance tailored to the client’s business’. Practice chair Stephanie Walls ‘consistently ensures the best final result’, and works closely with ‘professional and organised’ senior associate Stephen Schneider.

Osborne Clarke ‘invests in client relationships’ and delivers ‘a City service at lower rates’. Thames Valley department head Peter Sheppard is ‘an excellent commercial litigator and a go-to lawyer when a robust plan of action is required’. Clients include Bank of Ireland, Dell and LG.

Thomas Eggar LLP ‘runs a good ship’ from its Newbury office, where lawyers deliver ‘top-notch support and very user-friendly advice’. Work highlights included complex disputes involving multimillion-pound claims and some cross-jurisdictional issues. Andrew Jackson is ‘pragmatic and down to earth, but also technically adept and a doughty fighter when he needs to be’.

Blandy & Blandy LLP’s ‘very good team’ is well regarded for its expertise in commercial contracts, probate, property and professional negligence disputes. Jacques Smith is ‘always quick to reply, and has a good sense of commercial awareness’. Philip D’Arcy is also recommended.

Brethertons LLP is highlighted for its ‘reasoned advice’, and its level of service is ‘excellent in every respect’. Practice head Shaun Jardine is recommended, as is Sioban Calcott, who is ‘tireless in her approach to all cases’.

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s commercial litigation team ‘stands out for its consistently high level of service’. ‘Excellent’ team head Nick Wright is praised for his depth of knowledge, communication skills and commercial approach.

The ‘excellent’ Field Seymour Parkes LLP has a broad commercial litigation practice and particular expertise in international disputes for clients from Canada, the US, Belize, Japan and Liechtenstein. Bill Dixon is commended for his intellect, speed of thought and response times.

Clifton Ingram LLP focuses on the SME sector, with practice head Jonathan Davis noted for his track record in litigation.

Niche firm Emmerson Law was set up in 2011 by Simon Emmerson, who was formerly at Manches LLP and specialises in commercial litigation. His work is rated as ‘impeccable’.

Chris Felton’s team at Gardner Leader LLP represents individuals, SMEs, large corporations and financial institutions, and also handles cross-border work in Europe and the US.

The ‘flexible and proactive’ Northwood Reid primarily handles technology-sector litigation. Paul Northwood ‘explains legal issues very clearly, and provides practical and commercial suggestions’.

Rowberry Morris offers expertise in contentious probate, high-value breach of contract claims, and domestic commercial disputes.

At Spratt Endicott, Caroline Gibbs handles a range of commercial disputes, as well as contentious trust and probate matters. Paula Green was promoted to partner in 2011.

The team at White & Black Legal LLP ‘works tirelessly to hit deadlines, and provides good value for money’. Henry Mendus’ ‘commercial understanding makes matters much easier for the client’.

Commercial litigation: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

In 2011, Dentons successfully defended a £57m claim concerning a joint venture to fund and build a £300m shopping centre development in Wolverhampton. Other clients include Ernst & Young, Home Retail Group and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Alastair Young heads the team.

IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) acted for Ceridian in a £1m claim arising out of an abandoned outsourcing contract with Somerfield. It also represented Cummins Power Generation in a breach of contract injunction claim involving proceedings in the UK and Pakistan. Paul Kite heads the five-partner team.

Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP is strong in retail and investment banking litigation; it advises a host of financial institutions, and is one of three national firms on Barclays’ litigation panel. Its response times are ‘first class’.

Shoosmiths acted in a dispute between Land Rover and a European importer and distributor of vehicles and parts. Paul Kirkpatrick joined from Bevan Brittan LLP in early 2011 to lead the Milton Keynes commercial litigation team, which supplements the firm’s national offering. The team is valued for its ‘detailed technical knowledge’ and ‘practical, hands-on guidance’.

B P Collins LLP is rated for its ‘impressive’ commercial understanding and ‘very high standards’. It acted for the creditors in a bankruptcy case concerning an accountant’s valuation of the bankrupt party’s shares. Matthew Brandis heads the practice.

EMW successfully represented Levi Roots, owner of the Roots Reggae Reggae Sauce brand, in a breach of contract claim. Damon Watt heads the dispute resolution team, which gained British Standards Institution and Monarch Airlines as clients in 2011.

Kimbells Freeth LLP is highlighted for its ‘sound commercial advice’ and ‘good response times’. In 2011 it represented new client Costa Ltd in the termination of two separate contracts for the supply of coffee. Simon Hobbs is known for his ‘very approachable style’ and ‘first-class knowledge’.

SA Law LLP acted for RL UK Ltd in a dispute with British Gas over electricity charges and common parts usage, and for GWA Group Ltd in a dispute with a former distributor for approximately £200,000. Joint practice head Robert Ryall is ‘extremely heplful’.

The ‘exemplary’ team at Sherrards Solicitors LLP acted for an individual at the Supreme Court in a high-profile planning dispute over a luxury home. The firm also gained two major financial institutions as clients. Practice head Paul Marmor is ‘vastly experienced’.

Taylor Walton LLP’s practice covers contentious probate and employment, IP, professional negligence and shareholder disputes. Highlights included a shareholder dispute in relation to a deadlocked company, and a claim by a developer for alleged breach of contract in relation to a sale of land with planning permission for development.

Geoffrey Leaver fields four partners who have specialist expertise across insolvency law, professional negligence, partnership and shareholder disputes and debt recovery, and act with ‘minimum fuss and minimum cost to the client’. Kenneth Stangoe inspires ‘absolute confidence’.

Harvey Ingram Borneos’ Milton Keynes based practice recently concluded two breach of warranty claims totalling over £12m. Vincent Foley and Alan Hamblett focus on ‘practical as well as technically sound outcomes’.

Commercial litigation: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

Clyde & Co acted in High Court proceedings against the MoD over the award of a procurement contract to a third party. Chris Burdett heads the dispute resolution team and provides ‘good-quality, practical, commercial advice’. The firm’s impressive client list includes Ericsson, Total Gas and Power, and Carphone Warehouse.

Stevens & Bolton LLP successfully defended Salute Finance LLP against a variety of claims brought by Kazakh bank Alliance Bank JSC, including for unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duty. It also assisted a Chinese client in relation to shipments of goods worth $7.5m. The ‘extremely pragmatic’ team is led by Michael Frisby, a ‘highly impressive individual’.

Charles Russell LLP gives ‘appropriate and pragmatic’ advice that is ‘very effective’. The seven-partner team is headed by Duncan Elson, whose advice is ‘sound, extensive and well thought through’. It represented Wilky Property Holdings plc in a contractual claim with an alleged value of £17m.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP acted for a music publishing company in a case concerning allegations of forgery of a composer’s signature. Peter Ashford specialises in international arbitration and is ‘exceptionally good’, and Ed Weeks is a ‘first-rate litigation solicitor’. Other clients include Wincanton Group and Nicolas UK Ltd.

DMH Stallard LLP has a strong public sector presence, and represents UK financial institutions in large-scale litigation matters. The dispute resolution team includes four partners, including the highly recommended James Colvin.

Thomas Eggar LLP’s ‘commercially astute’ team specialises in the insurance and banking sectors, and counts as clients Primary Insurance Group, Lloyds TSB Bank plc and UK General Insurance Group. Department head Victoria Brackett provides ‘City quality at a regional cost’.

The ‘exceptional’ team at asb law LLP is ‘very commercial’ and ‘fast to respond’. It has a strong presence in contentious aviation work, and was instructed by Willis Leasing in a $1.8m dispute over an aircraft engine lease return. Richard Mumford ‘understands business issues very well’.

Rawlison Butler LLP has a well-established presence in the luxury goods, retail and automotive sectors, representing clients including Swarovski, Lotus Group and Quattro Group. In 2011 it successfully represented Suzuki in a prosecution for trade mark infringement.

Kent-based Thomson Snell & Passmore provides ‘measured advice’, with Nick Horton leading a team of ‘specialists’ that ‘represent good value for money’.

Commercial litigation: Hampshire

Blake Lapthorn delivers a ‘cost-effective service’ in a ‘very responsive and professional’ manner. In 2011, practice head Susie Dryden successfully defended IBM United Kingdom in an eight-day trial at the Technology and Construction Court relating to the supply of data management software. Jill Bainbridge is highlighted for her ‘commitment to the client and clear explanation of legal issues’.

Tom Beezer leads the litigation group at Bond Pearce LLP, and has particular expertise in upstream oil and gas disputes. Gavin Matthews is recommended for his retail-sector knowledge, and senior associate Ian Newcombe has expertise in complex contract, tort and corporate disputes. Clients include B&Q, Sainsbury’s, Virgin and Royal Mail.

The lawyers at Lamport Bassitt are ‘committed to their clients, serious when it comes to litigation, and not afraid to speak their minds’. ‘First-class’ department head Rick Munro and ‘strong team player’ Neil Stewart are recommended.

Shoosmiths’ Jonathan Grigg specialises in general corporate and commercial disputes with a focus on pensions litigation. The team also has expertise in marine litigation.

Trethowans LLP acts for clients such as Bacardi, Ladbrokes and Novatech. Practice head Richard Cook is ‘a very safe pair of hands’, and Jon Kelly is recommended for his niche expertise in banking and insolvency litigation.

The ‘extremely professional and knowledgeable’ team at Coffin Mew LLP saw a steady stream of shareholder disputes and increased activity in restrictive covenant enforcement litigation in 2011. Christian Smith provides ‘invaluable support’, and Tim Gleeson is ‘a commercial law expert’.

‘Very good in every aspect’, Dutton Gregory LLP acts for a number of property insurers and also has expertise in financial services litigation, construction disputes and professional negligence claims. Winchester-based Andrew Tilley leads the team, which includes ‘excellent litigator’ Colin Passam, who ‘gives sound strategic advice’ from the Southampton office.

Moore Blatch LLP ‘takes a proactive approach and is willing to mould its advice to the client’s needs’. Practice head Paul Whitaker has over 25 years’ experience in commercial litigation. The ‘well-respected’ Marianne Jarvis is now a partner, and the ‘very approachable’ Mark Osgood is also recommended.

Paris Smith LLP has particular expertise in the area of insurance litigation, but has also been handling a number of commercial contract and product liability disputes. Peter Taylor and Clive Thomson are recommended.

Commercial litigation: Essex

Birkett Long LLP’s ‘professional and prompt’ five-partner practice acted on agricultural, probate and employment-related litigation in 2011, with a cross-practice team representing RH Ashcroft & Sons in a shareholder dispute at the High Court. Other clients include East of England Co-operative Society, Braintree District Council and Alliance Medical. Keith Songhurst heads the practice.

Birketts LLP’s ‘solid’ team acted for the claimant in a contentious probate case at the High Court, and represented a telecoms client in a cross-border ADR matter. Daden Hunt was promoted to practice head in June 2011.

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP strengthened its offering through the absorption of Budd Martin Burrett, and is now operating under the Quality Solicitors network as QualitySolicitors FJG. Recent work includes representing a financial services client in litigation relating to the clawback of commission payments, and settling a claim in excess of £1.4m shortly before a High Court appeal hearing. The highly regarded James Burkett heads the team, whose expertise includes employment matters.

The ‘excellent’ team at Palmers continues to specialise in advice to clients in the construction industry, and is currently advising in a multimillion-pound public procurement dispute in the healthcare sector. Practice head Clive Tant is a ‘shrewd operator’.

Wendy Beach heads Wortley Byers’ team, which acted for the liquidator of an insurance company in a £1m insurance fraud case. It also acts in IP, employment and contractual disputes.

At Ellisons, Graeme Wallington acted for Smith’s Vitamins & Herbs in a €1.8m contractual dispute which involved issues of English and French jurisdiction. Wallington also represented clients in IP, employment and shipping disputes.

Pinney Talfourd LLP represented two partners in a highly contentious asset disposal dispute, which included a Chancery Division restraining order. Team head Stephen Eccles is ‘a no-nonsense, practical adviser’.

Rainer Hughes has strong experience in VAT and excise matters and Chancery Division litigation. Case highlights included Naso Investments v Ramjan & Dawlish, which concerned lease forfeiture, and Eastenders Cash & Carry & Ors v HMRC at the Court of Appeal. Sanjay Panesar heads the team.

Debt recovery

At Blake Lapthorn, team head Sadak Miah and recoveries manager Elizabeth Ryall ‘provide an exceptionally efficient service’. Clients include British Credit Trust, Mercedes Benz Financial Services and Toyota Financial Services.

Shoosmiths’ ‘excellent’ recoveries team offers a pre-legal collection service and an outbound call credit control product. Richard Gwynne heads the team, which provides advice to a number of utilities provider clients.

Brachers’ substantial recoveries team added major new clients in the education and credit management sectors in 2011. Shirley Moore heads the group.

Brethertons LLP’s ‘excellent’ commercial and property recoveries teams, headed by Jackie Ray and Alison McCormack respectively, continue to act for Coca-Cola and Bank of Scotland. Ray is an ‘excellent litigator’.

Spratt Endicott’s team, headed by Martin Hughes, acts for major clients in the banking, accounting and legal services sectors.

The team at Boyes Turner comprises six fee-earners with expertise in the software supply, environment and property management sectors. Kelly Services is a client. Ally Tow heads the group.

Simon Elcock heads the seven-fee-earner team at DMH Stallard LLP, which acts for Baker Tilly, Fender Europe and the London Borough of Croydon.

Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP provides recoveries services for banks and other financial services clients, with particular expertise in the motor finance industry. Jackie Hanlon leads the Watford-based team.

Pitmans LLP is highlighted for its ‘excellent success rate’ in sectors including technology, construction and retail. Team head Suzanne Brooker is ‘readily available, sharp and commercial’.

Headed by David Foster, Barlow Robbins LLP’s ‘professional’ team continues to act for several independent schools, and handles a significant flow of overseas debt recovery matters.

Birkett Long LLP advises national companies in Essex and London, with an emphasis on the agricultural and education sectors. Amanda Smallcombe leads the team.

Charles Russell LLP’s team focuses on low-volume, high-value contested debt, under dispute resolution practice head Duncan Elson.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s clients include GVA and the London Borough of Harrow. Jane Dunlop leads the practice from the Taunton office.

Tony Sutton’s team at colemans-ctts LLP acts for local authorities and private healthcare and IT-sector clients.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP advised on matters ranging up to £700,000 in 2011, and was particularly active in rent and service charge recovery work.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP specialises in acting for clients in the professional and financial services sectors, in particular firms of solicitors and surveyors. Other clients include Reading FC.

Furley Page Solicitors’ ‘helpful and knowledgeable’ team recently acted in a €2m debt recovery matter for a Spanish law firm.

Alan Hamblett’s team at Harvey Ingram Borneos has major clients in the brewing and home insulation industries.

Mark Oakley heads the team at Judge & Priestley LLP, which acts for national commercial clients in the insurance, banking and utilities sectors.

Pinney Talfourd LLP’s new clients include Keech Hospitals and Connells Group. Stephen Eccles leads the team.

Stevens & Bolton LLP’s four-fee-earner team is headed by Michael Frisby. New clients include a major credit insurer.

Graham Penn’s team at stevensdrake has particular expertise in motor finance debt recovery matters.

Louise Boyle’s team at Trethowans LLP acts primarily for public sector clients, including nine NHS trusts.

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