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Blake Lapthorn provides a ‘Rolls-Royce service’ and ‘unsurpassed advice’, and recently advised the Bank of Scotland in defending a High Court claim brought by a German printing presses manufacturer. ‘One of the best solicitors’, Jonathan Lloyd-Jones has an ‘extraordinary grasp of facts, and a remarkable analytical mind and knowledge of the law’.

Chris Potts ‘combines a quiet façade with a steely aggressive side’ and has a ‘tactical brain’, and Richard Humphreys ‘delivers the right blend of commercial and legal advice’. The arrival of consultant and construction expert David Miles from Glovers Solicitors LLP, and another senior solicitor from Osborne Clarke, has further boosted the team’s capabilities.

‘Up there with the best’, Clarkslegal LLP has a ‘highly client-focused approach’ coupled with ‘deep knowledge’. The practice ‘competes with all the major London firms’ on commercial and public sector disputes, and has particular expertise in environmental, commercial agency and product liability claims. The team features ‘brilliant negotiator’ and ‘excellent strategist’ Antony Morris; Chris Tayton, who is an ‘excellent adviser’; and ‘dogged and determined’ associate and ‘first-class litigator’ Stephen James.

Pitmans LLP handles disputes with ‘ease, professionalism’ and a ‘commercially realistic approach’, and is particularly rated for its mediation capabilities. The team has expertise in IT, property and finance disputes, and also advises on professional negligence cases, shareholder disputes and pensions cases. ‘One of the best litigators in the business’, the ‘multi-skilled’ Sue O’Brien is ‘realistic and consultative’. Tim Clark and the ‘extremely personable’ Suzanne Brooker are also recommended. Clients include Marshalls and AMT Coffee.

Shoosmiths handles large-scale commercial disputes, and recently advised engineering and environmental hydraulics supplier HR Wallingford in a £2.5m warranty claim. Stuart Little has experience in IT and corporate disputes, and Nick Fenner handles contentious matters relating to software, technology and privacy. Paul Eccles has expertise in insurance claims. New clients include British Gas Trading.

Boyes Turner impresses with its ‘excellent service’ and ‘fast responses’. Gary Parkinson leads the group, and in 2010 advised BDW Trading (Barratt Homes) in a dispute with a purchaser. The team is well known for its contentious construction expertise and property litigation work, for which the ‘highly commercial and practical’ John Starr is singled out. The firm gained a contentious IP practice in 2010 with the arrival of Sarah Hadland from Pitmans LLP, who counts Ty and Gant as clients. Former group head Mike Robinson is recommended.

Henmans LLP’s ‘professional team’ is ‘swift to act’, and has ‘City-level experience’ and specialist strength in areas such as professional negligence and indemnity, property, product liability, construction and defamation cases. The group recently acted in a breach of fiduciary duty case worth £1m. Joint practice heads Sarah Foster and Duncan Crine are recommended, as is Andrew Crocombe.

Providing ‘exceptional service’, Manches LLP’s ‘very efficient and competent’ team is ‘particularly thorough’: ‘expert litigator’ Julie Bond is ‘absolutely first class’ and has a ‘completely commercial attitude’; on the property side, John Morrison has a ‘high level of knowledge’ and gives the ‘best possible advice’; and Steven Maier is also rated for contentious IP and IT matters. Recent highlights include advising on a £1.5m professional negligence claim.

Morgan Cole’s ‘knowledgeable team’ provides ‘very good service’, and has experience in commercial agency, contractual and healthcare sector disputes. Practice head Stephanie Walls is ‘clearly an expert in her field’. The group advised Mair Property Services in a professional negligence claim, and other clients include The National Trust and NRS Media.

Osborne Clarke is rated for its ‘City-style service’, and is advising the Bank of Ireland in a multimillion-pound dispute. The team also advised new client Isotrak on an IT project dispute. Peter Sheppard is an ‘excellent commercial litigator with very strong strategic skills’, and associate Dawn Troman is ‘intelligent and enthusiastic’. New clients include Verint, Avanti Communications and Mphasis.

Blandy & Blandy LLP’s ‘prompt and knowledgeable’ team is noted for its ability to ‘explain complex matters simply’. Jacques Smith and Philip D’Arcy advise on contractual disputes, contentious probate, property, defamation and professional negligence claims.

Brethertons LLP provides ‘exemplary service’ and ‘prompt and comprehensive responses’, and handles property, professional negligence and personal injury cases. Shaun Jardine is ‘fully conversant in all issues’ and legal executive Sioban Calcott’s ‘considerable Leasehold Valuation Tribunal knowledge’ is highly rated.

Darbys Solicitors LLP took on specialist commercial debt recovery firm Graham Bridgman & Co in September 2010, further strengthening its commercial recovery and insolvency capability. The team also handles contentious probate, equine claims and land disputes. Nick Wright leads the group, and Graham Bridgman is praised for his ‘industry knowledge, accessibility and professionalism’.

The ‘proactive and creative’ team at Field Seymour Parkes delivers ‘exceptional standards of service’. The team advised Gold Group Properties in a £9m claim against Barratt Homes. Bill Dixon is ‘extremely clever and has a good understanding of the law’. The ‘solution-focused’ Joe Lott is ‘especially strong’, and Elizabeth Mehdevy is also recommended.

Thomas Eggar LLP advises on professional negligence, contractual, banking, company, defamation and IP disputes. The team acts for Rebound Electronics, Landscape Group and Fairbairn Private Bank, and is currently assisting an international bank in a multi-jurisdictional claim. The ‘very knowledgeable and helpful’ Andrew Jackson is singled out for his ‘pragmatic approach’.

Clifton Ingram LLP has a ‘skilled team’ led by Jonathan Davis.

Chris Felton at Gardner Leader LLP is very ‘switched on’.

Paul Northwood of Northwood Reid is ‘diligent, efficient, knowledgeable and good value’.

Associate Caroline Gibbs at Spratt Endicott is recommended.

Rowberry Morris has a ‘very knowledgeable’ team.

White & Black Legal LLP is ‘simply brilliant’; the ‘quietly tenacious’ Henry Mendus is ‘a pleasure to work with’.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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