United Kingdom > South West > Dispute resolution
Commercial litigation: Bristol
Commercial litigation: Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP’s team is led by the ‘very strong’ Paul Haggett. Chris Jackson attracts high praise from clients, and has recently been representing Eurostar in relation to a third-party injunction seeking to prevent it from entering into a contract with Siemens. The team also defended new client Discovery Channel against a trade mark infringement claim. Peter Morris displays ‘excellent technical knowledge’ and a ‘keen ability to grasp details’.
Osborne Clarke’s ‘tenacious and efficient’ team, headed by Peter Clough, is ‘accommodating to clients ’ demanding ways of working’. The group acted for Cable & Wireless UK in a claim against European Technology Group for unpaid fees, and for THQ in a claim against French credit insurer COFACE. Clare Robinson displays ‘business acumen’, and Tim Boyce ‘identifies important issues and takes the case forward with incisiveness’.
Beachcroft has particular expertise in insurance defence work and saw significant growth in financial services litigation. An insurer recently instructed the group regarding two data disclosure incidents. David Pollitt heads the team, which includes the ‘very effective’ Ben Daniels.
Bond Pearce LLP acted for Matrix-Securities and Capita Alternative Fund Services regarding breach of contract actions brought against surveyors, and for Pension Protection Fund on the recovery of unpaid pension protection levies. Stephen Lister’s advice is ‘always appropriate to needs’, and Anna Maxwell is ‘seriously impressive’.
TLT LLP is expert in banking and financial services litigation, and recently completed a disclosure project for a global financial institution. WHSmith instructed the team on a series of £1m-£2m trading disputes, and Imperial Tobacco and Bank of Ireland are also clients. Chris Owen leads on commercial disputes, and Jonathan Hoey on banking cases. The ‘outstanding’ Philip May attracts praise for his ability to see the bigger picture.
Bevan Brittan LLP consistently delivers ‘good-quality work’, with joint team heads Emily Heard and Ed Husband both recommended. Highlights included acting for a council in a claim for judicial review of the Secretary of State’s decision to stop funding BSF projects, and for Primecare regarding a challenge against Tees PCT.
Paul Chapman heads Clarke Willmott LLP’s team, which acted for claimants against Equitable Life Assurance Society, and for WCR Group regarding a damages claim. Alex Jakubowski is ‘not intimidated by the opponent’s tactics’, and Michael Clarke ‘instils confidence’. William Whiteley is now a judge.
Alastair Govier is a key figure in Thrings LLP’s team, which defended two Farepak directors against £40m claims by the liquidators, and also acted for CFH Total Document Management regarding a £3m commercial contract claim. The team regularly represents Thomson Directories.
‘Excellent on all fronts’, Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Simon Heald has a ‘fantastic reputation’. The team has particular expertise in education litigation, and Britannia Building Society instructs the team in claims against solicitors and valuers. Nigel Puddicombe is an experienced mediator.
Ashfords LLP is establishing its practice in Bristol, where Rory Mac Neice ‘exudes the perfect level of authority and expertise’.
Philip Siddons at Humphreys & Co. heads a team that displays ‘astonishing expertise’ and ‘clearly understands clients ’ requirements’. The group includes reinsurance litigator Peter Montgomery.
Commercial litigation: Dorset and South Wiltshire
Commercial litigation: Dorset and South Wiltshire
Recent work for Michael Giddins at Lester Aldridge LLP includes representing insurers in an IT software design claim, and a FTSE-listed company in an international supply product claim. Michael Veal has expertise with applications for injunctive relief.
Steele Raymond LLP’s team is led by Robert Bajaj, who is ‘most responsive and accurate’. It advised a financial sector company on a Financial Services Authority claim, and acted for landlords regarding insolvent tenants.
Wilsons’ ‘expert team of extremely tough litigators’ is a practice that ‘rivals London firms’ and includes the ‘utterly frank as well as very sympathetic’ Mike Parker. The group acted for a client regarding a challenge to testamentary dispositions.
Frettens LLP recently acted for a residential property developer in breach of contract claims. Michelle Hayter is ‘easy to communicate with’ and ‘focuses on main issues’.
Parker Bullen LLP’s Neil Adams ‘responds quicker than competitors’, and has ‘excellent negotiation skills’. Banking litigation and property-related disputes have been a focus.
Commercial litigation: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire
Commercial litigation: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire
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- Charles Russell LLP Cheltenham
- Maitland Walker LLP Cheltenham
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- BPE Solicitors LLP Cheltenham
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Stone King LLP Bath
- Thrings LLP Bath, Swindon
- Withy King LLP Bath, Swindon
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- Willans LLP Cheltenham
Charles Russell LLP is ‘rightfully considered top of the market’. Peter Scandrett’s team acted for the underwriters regarding claims totalling £1m arising from a fatal air race crash, and advised Hildron Finance on leasehold enfranchisement and overage claims.
Maitland Walker LLP’s ‘totally committed, thorough and efficient’ team represented a commodities trader in a £2m claim against HMRC. Rupert Croft represents ‘everything a client could want in a solicitor’.
BPE Solicitors LLP delivers ‘excellent service’ and ‘good value for money’. It acted for Netdespatch in a dispute against a well-known communications provider, and for Evesham Vale Growers in a claim for unpaid gas charges. Philip Radford heads the team.
Rickerbys LLP’s team of ‘solid performers’ defended a client regarding an alleged breach of the Environment Agency’s WEEE Regulations, and acted for a retailer regarding the repudiation of an agreement. Colin Gibson ‘thoroughly addresses key issues’.
Stone King LLP’s Paul Sutton ‘keeps things moving forward’ and is ‘exceedingly helpful in trying situations’. The team acted for the Samuel Courtauld Trust regarding a claim for restitution of a Rubens painting, and for a charity in a £3m construction claim.
Thrings LLP regularly acts for MAN Truck & Bus UK in litigation, and recently settled a professional negligence claim for Citipost AMP against its former property advisers. Ramona Derbyshire leads the team.
Withy King LLP ‘gets things done’, under practice head Philip Banks-Welsh. The group advises LalPac on potential commercial contract disputes, and acted for Seram regarding a breach of copyright claim.
Willans LLP’s ‘cunning’ Paul Gordon is ‘not easily intimidated’, and clients also have ‘great confidence’ in Nick Cox. The team recently settled a claim for a supply contract breach.
Commercial litigation: The West Country
Commercial litigation: The West Country
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- Ashfords LLP Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
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- Bond Pearce LLP Plymouth
- Foot Anstey Exeter, Taunton, Truro and Plymouth
- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter, St Austell, Truro
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- Follett Stock Truro, Exeter
- Kitsons LLP Exeter, Torquay
- Porter Dodson Taunton, Yeovil
- Stones Solicitors LLP Exeter
- The Stokes Partnership Crewkerne
Ashfords LLP provides ‘great value for money’. Highlights included advising Viridor on contractual matters; Itron Metering Solutions regarding a dispute with a supplier; and Accor Hospitality Germany on contract issues. Team head Antony Lee and Ian Daniells are recommended.
Michelmores LLP gives clients ‘confidence to tackle complex issues’. It successfully brought a judicial review against the Secretary of State on the government’s payouts to tainted blood victims, and continues to act for Intelsat on enforcement matters. Tim Richards heads the team.
Bond Pearce LLP acted for The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation in a multimillion-pound property action, and for Samworth Brothers Group – Tamar Foods regarding damage done to industrial equipment. B&Q and Princess Yachts International are also clients. Gareth Kagan heads the practice.
Foot Anstey’s David Turner is ‘highly rated’ and ‘never misses a point’. The team has been acting for investors in the Arch Cru class action, and for a retired independent financial adviser who is bringing an action for breach of human rights against the FSA.
The practice at Stephens Scown LLP attracts high praise from clients. Viridor Waste Management instructs the team on disputes regarding EU waste disposal directives, and the group also acted for Sierra Windows on a claim against former business partners. Phillip Gregory resolves disputes ‘in the most advantageous and cost-effective way’, and Chris Harper is ‘determined to succeed’.
Follett Stock’s impressive Sarah Dell provides a ‘clear strategy and realistic goals’, and team head Chris Lingard is also recommended.
The ‘energetic’ James Cross and the team at Kitsons LLP recently represented a minority shareholder in oppression proceedings in the High Court of Barbados.
Stephen Wray is recommended at Porter Dodson.
Stones Solicitors LLP’s Paul Keeling acted on a £1.5m partnership dispute between a property owner and developer.
At The Stokes Partnership, property and insurance litigator Brendan Pang is recommended.
Debt recovery
Debt recovery
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- TLT LLP Bristol
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- Beachcroft Bristol
- Bond Pearce LLP Bristol, Plymouth
- Clarke Willmott LLP Taunton
- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
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- Ashfords LLP Exeter
- BPE Solicitors LLP Cheltenham
- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Foot Anstey Exeter
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards Bristol
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- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter
- Stones Solicitors LLP Exeter
TLT LLP’s large team is headed by Richard Waller, who splits his time between London and Bristol, and also includes Jonathan Hoey. It acts on mortgage repossessions, sales of repossessed property, appointment of receivers and unsecured debt recovery. Clients include Nationwide and JPMorgan.
Beachcroft is ‘excellent – quick, effective and reasonably priced’. It acts for several large multinationals, health authorities and limited companies; clients include Imperial Tobacco. Group head David Treasure is ‘friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and experienced’.
Gareth Kagan leads the group at Bond Pearce LLP, which acts for a range of national clients including Royal Mail Group, B&Q and Sainsbury’s. The team also represents Carlsberg UK on mainstream debt recovery claims relating to its lending portfolio and free trade customers.
Clarke Willmott LLP’s team, headed by Jane Dunlop, acts for a mix of private and public sector clients. Local authorities and utility companies constitute an important and growing client base; examples include the London boroughs of Enfield and Harrow. The group assisted the Department for Transport on the recovery of monies due under the Bus Service Operators Grant.
Karen Savage leads the group at Lester Aldridge LLP, which represents high-profile clients in several sectors, notably waste, motor finance and online spread betting.
Ashfords LLP provides an ‘excellent level of service’. It acts on the recovery of unpaid invoices for goods and services, letting fees, and council tax for a range of clients, especially local authorities. Associate Victoria Bonnet is ‘exceptional’.
BPE Solicitors LLP’s ‘very knowledgeable and friendly’ team is led by associate Lindsey Summers, and acts for a number of finance houses and motor-leasing companies.
Amanda Vaughan leads Burges Salmon LLP’s team, which forms part of the firm’s commercial disputes and litigation department. It handles a wide range of unpaid debt matters, including agricultural debt recovery alongside bankruptcy, winding up and charging orders.
Foot Anstey advises on a range of debt recovery and related matters for clients including Hitachi Capital Business Finance and Helston Garages. Sian Phillips ably assists team head Angus McNicol.
Michelmores LLP’s practice encompasses all areas of debt recovery, including pre-litigation action, issue of claims and enforcement. Group head Simon Barnett is recommended.
Rickerbys LLP’s team is led by Colin Gibson, who is aided by ‘the highly efficient and effective’ Claire Preece. The practice has a specialisation in the recovery of monies owed on private school fees.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘very organised’ team acts for clients such as EDF Energy, as part of the firm’s wider commercial litigation offering. Mike Button’s advice is ‘very valuable’.
Stephens Scown's Brian Dolan is recommended.
Chris Harper and Paul Keeling are recommended at Stones Solicitors LLP.