The Legal 500

United Kingdom > South West > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Bristol

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Burges Salmon LLP’s 11-partner team is headed by Paul Haggett, who brings ‘overarching experience’ to any matter. Recent work for the firm includes representing Eurostar International in its large and complex procurement dispute with Alstom; and acting for Helphire in a dispute with great implications for the credit hire industry. Associate Brian Wong is ‘very bright, with a sharp legal mind’. New partner Kevin Kennedy, who joined from Clarke Willmott LLP, ‘works extremely hard to find practical solutions to clients ’ problems’.

Peter Clough’s team at Osborne Clarke provides ‘pragmatic advice that reflects good knowledge of the client’s business and aims’, and acts for clients including British Gas, Dell and Bank of Ireland. The team acted for Turbo Centre and others in a $300m bondholder dispute relating to a development financing in Russia. ‘Rising star’ Catherine Wolfenden was made up to partner in 2011; and Charlie Wedin is ‘relevant, focused and pragmatic’.

Bond Pearce LLP acted for Misonix in a claim for breach of warranty made by Puricore International in connection with a share purchase agreement. Other clients include Royal Mail Group, Scottish Power Renewables and Gala Coral. Litigator Stephen Lister is recommended.

Stellar’ firm DAC Beachcroft LLP acts for clients including Zurich and Vodafone. It acted for various independent financial advisers and their insurers in defending a large recovery claim by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Ben Daniels heads the three-partner team.

TLT LLP acts on a large number of banking and corporate-related matters for clients including Dyson and The Peacock Group. The team represented Air India in an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding a Court of Appeal verdict in favour of a former employee. Jonathan Hoey and Chris Owen lead the team.

The ‘notably good’ Emily Heard leads Bevan Brittan LLP’s ‘crack team’ of five partners, which acts for a range of public sector clients. It represented Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in a claim for judicial review relating to the Secretary of State for Education’s cancellation of school building funds.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s specialisms include claims against solicitors, surveyors and financial services professionals. The team acted for EnviTec Biogas in a dispute. Team head Paul Chapman ‘sees disputes from the client’s point of view and provides practical advice’; and Michael Clarke is also recommended.

Thrings LLP has expertise in financial services litigation, and defamation cases, as well as IP, pensions and directors’ claims. Clients include Thomson Directories and Hamptons International. Alastair Govier and Simon Holdsworth are recommended.

Veale Wasbrough Vizards has a broad practice, with particular strength in education cases and debt recovery matters. Team head Nigel Puddicombe and Tabitha Cave are recommended. Insolvency litigator Ed Husband joined from Bevan Brittan LLP.

Rory Mac Neice is recommended at Ashfords LLP.

Philip Siddons is recommended at Humphreys & Co..

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in South West for Commercial litigation: Bristol

  • 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

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