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Commercial litigation

Eversheds LLP is ‘one of the best firms in the area’; the team is ‘excellent – very supportive and involved’. Mark Rhys-Jones is a general commercial litigator, and acts for clients such as Cassidian. Regulatory expert Nicola Williams acted for National Grid Gas in a significant investigation by Ofgem. Experienced inquiries expert Peter Watkin Jones is ‘very astute, and a safe pair of hands’. On the banking litigation side, the firm is ‘ahead of the curve in terms of IT, sector knowledge, the experience and strength in depth of its people’. Nick Rundle and Anthony Davies stand out for ‘commercial, results-driven solutions’. The ‘commercially astute’ Richard Pitt is leading in several complex mortagage claims.

Capital Law LLP fields a strong and experienced team of litigators, attracting high-quality work from businesses with strong brands; ‘the overall level of service is exceptional’. Andrew Brown’s ‘attention to detail’ is ‘hugely impressive’, his ‘advice is always commercial’, and his relationship skills are ‘excellent’. Christopher Nott, Philip Jones, and Wayne Beynon are also recommended. The firm is noted as ‘a forerunner in exploring the use of third party funders’.

At Geldards LLP, Paul Hopkins heads the team, and is noted as ‘a straight talker’ with an ‘openness’ towards likely outcomes and costs. Clients range from family-run businesses to the Welsh government; Hopkins is advising the latter in its claim against Reckitt Benckiser alleging abuse of a dominant market position, in relation to the supply of Gaviscon to NHS Wales. Jonathan Griffiths and Ed Meggitt are also recommended.

At Morgan Cole, experienced litigators Allan Wilson and Lee Fisher have broad knowledge of the public sector, but also advise private sector clients, such as PHS, in complex and often high-value disputes. Standout matters in 2011 included acting for NHS Gloucestershire in judicial review proceedings. Health and energy are key sectors for the team.

Lyndon Richards, previously a partner at Beale and Company Solicitors LLP, has joined John Morris’ team at Acuity Legal Limited. Richards has a strong reputation for professional negligence cases and complex property and construction disputes.

Berry Smith’s Nick Parker is a well-regarded litigator, with clients in Wales and beyond. He achieved a favourable settlement for Professional Golf Services in a Court of Appeal competition case against the Titleist and Footjoy manufacturer Akushnet (Europe).

Kempton Rees and Ian Herbert at Darwin Gray are held in the ‘highest esteem’; they are ‘open and commercial’, ‘in the real world’, ‘very good value for money’, and ‘able to stand toe to toe with anyone and not be intimidated’. Valued for its modern approach, the team attracts work from clients such as Navitas and Guarding UK. Rhodri Lewis is also recommended.

Richard Locke leads the team at Hugh James. Work in 2011 included advice to insurer Lloyd’s in respect of claims against police authorities arising out of the 2011 riots. Defamation and general litigation cases also feature in the caseload.

Jason Williams at Morgan LaRoche Limited has a sharp and professional approach, giving his Cardiff counterparts a run for their money; his work is a mix of core breach of contract matters, Insolvency Act issues, and agricultural and property disputes.

At Dolmans Solicitors, Alison Henders-Green and Philip Bradley assist the firm’s strong public sector client base but also attract standalone clients. They are valued for their ‘sound and robust’ advice.

Hugh Hitchcock remains the driving force at Douglas-Jones Mercer. Clare Carpenter has a growing profile in the region, and recently acted for the Dolphin Hotel in evicting squatters.

Duncun McAllister has raised Hillyer McKeown’s profile in Wales, attracting work from SMEs such as Microtech.

At JCP Solicitors, litigator Christian Edwards has expertise in construction and sports matters. He has recently acted for Liberty Stadium and Swansea City FC.

Alex Pay at MLM Cartwright has a significant telecoms client base, regularly advising on licence renewal matters. He also advised in a number of contract/payment disputes in 2011, and on some substantial HMRC challenges.

Helen Tudball has joined Gabb And Co, and is well regarded for general commercial litigation and insolvency work.

Senior partner Zep Bellavia is recommended at Newport firm Harding Evans LLP, whose clients include the owner of Cardiff Arms Park and Cardiff Athletic Club. Helen Tudball has moved to Gabb And Co.

Solicitors Annest Jones and James Rudall at Leo Abse & Cohen advise on all types of general commercial litigation.

Red Kite Law’s team is led by Mike Evans and Luke Smith. It attracts high-quality instructions in West Wales, and has been retained by Pembrokeshire CC, and the Welsh Fisheries Department. Dymphna Powell handles professional negligence matters.

Chester firm Aaron & Partners LLP regularly acts for Welsh companies, and counts Dyr Cymru/Welsh Water among its clients; John Devoy and David Harries are recommended.

Debt recovery

Eversheds LLP dominates the market in terms of volume; it is ‘commercial and results driven’, and acts for institutions such as GE Money, Barclays First Plus and Lloyds. Anthony Davies heads the secured debt team, while Richard Pitt leads on the unsecured side. The firm has an ‘an excellent approach to client service’.

Recoveries expert Gareth Llewellyn Williams leads a ‘faultless’ team at JCP Solicitors, which is instructed by institutional clients, and was particularly active for Lloyds TSB in 2011. The firm also recovers business debts.

Acuity Legal Limited offers a bespoke rather than volume service. John Morris advises on individual debts.

Solicitor Jane Rees manages Berry Smith’s department, which specialises in business-to-business debts. Its expanding client base includes Billabong, and Grant Thornton.

Stephen Thompson at Darwin Gray is recommended, and attracts high praise from clients.

Douglas-Jones Mercer carries out general recovery work for its commercial clients.

Geldards LLP handles debt work under the trading name ‘Hollis Briggs’, undertaking volume recovery (fast-track and small claims). Clients include Go Debt and new gain GE Capital Equipment Finance

Debra Spedding heads the team at Harding Evans LLP, which acts for clients such as Cardiff City FC, and Dudley’s Stately-Albion.

Chester firm Aaron & Partners LLP acts for clients such as Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water.

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