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Commercial litigation: Essex
Leading individuals

Commercial litigation: Essex

1
- Birkett Long LLP (Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester)
- Birketts LLP (Chelmsford)
- Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP (Colchester)
2
- Wortley Byers LLP (Brentwood)
3
- Ellisons Solicitors (Colchester)
- Palmers (Basildon)
- Pinney Talfourd LLP Solicitors (Hornchurch)
4
- Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors (Harlow, Loughton)
- Jefferies Essex LLP (Southend-on-Sea)
- Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP (Westcliff-on-Sea)
- Rainer Hughes (Shenfield)
- Tees Law (Chelmsford)
- Thompson Smith and Puxon (Colchester, Clacton-on-Sea)

Leading individuals

1
- James Burkett - Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP

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Birkett Long LLP’s team, led by the ‘excellent’ Peter Allen, delivers ‘complete satisfaction’ to clients, who value its ‘well-researched’ advice. Highlights included acting for BEW Electrical Distributors in a breach of warranty dispute arising from an asset purchase agreement.

Birketts LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team handles a range of matters, from representing clients in shareholder disputes to managing claims arising from omnibus contracts and licensing agreements. The ‘exceptional’ Daden Hunt has been defending Elektron Technology against a £2m derivative claim.

At Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, ‘supreme tactician’ James Burkett acted in a £30m claim arising from shareholder disputes over the removal of the company’s CEO and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.

Nick Hatchett leads the group at Wortley Byers LLP, which attracts praise for its ‘strategic approach to difficult litigation’. Also recommended are the ‘hardworking’ and ‘versatile’ Sarah Stanyer and Wendy Beach, who ‘fights her client’s corner really hard’.

Ellisons Solicitors’ ‘well-established and respected’ team continues to act for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. Lee Pearce and Graeme Wallington are recommended.

The ‘efficient, proactive and knowledgeable’ Clive Tant heads the practice at Palmers. Adam Davis has been promoted to partnership.

Stephen Eccles at Pinney Talfourd LLP Solicitors secured a favourable ruling for Carbon Smart in a breach of contract case before the Court of Appeal.

Leanne Philp at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors is noted for her clear grasp of the technicalities of commercial litigation.

The two-partner team at Jefferies Essex LLP is led by Sarah Mitchell and represents a number of large businesses in Essex.

Fiona Colwell leads the ‘practical, efficient and responsive’ group at Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP.

At Rainer Hughes, Sanjay Panesar is a ‘good strategist who can pull a big team together’.

Tees Law’s practice is particularly active in the property sector. David Perry is the key figure.

Thompson Smith and Puxon’s Sharon Auton regularly handles consumer disputes. Judith Winward is also recommended.

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Legal Developments in South East for Commercial litigation: Essex

US rules regarding offshore accounts

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act 2010, enacted on 18 March 2010, imposes a new US withholding tax and reporting regime, known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The FATCA regime applies generally to payments made after 31 December 2012, except on obligations (to be defined in future guidance) outstanding on 18 March 2012. Substantial effort is required by foreign entities to bring their worldwide operations and policies into compliance with the FATCA rules as of the effective date. 

- Jones Day

Legal Developments in the UK

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

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

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

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP