Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Debt recovery in Wales

Capital Law Limited

Eschewing the commoditised, volume consumer debt recovery work typically favoured by firms in the space, Capital Law Limited instead focuses on business-to-business debt recovery, where it can utilise the considerable litigation smarts of its overarching commercial litigation function. Consequently, the team, which is led by Guto Llewellyn, is effectively an extension of the clients' in-house credit control department and can strategise the most appropriate method for recovering debts, including the use of injunctive relief to freeze assets if necessary. Clients also have access to the firm's unique litigation fund, which can be of particular use for stakeholders which may have otherwise lacked the financial means necessary to pursue claims.

Practice head(s):

James Williams


Other key lawyers:

Philip Jones; Andrew Brown; Guto Llewelyn; Céline Jones


Key clients

DS Smith


Cardiff City Football Club


CPS Group (UK) Limited


Skillcert Limited


MEWA Textil-Service AG & Co


Tangle Teezer


Sonovate Limited


Deloitte LLP


Menzies LLP


Mech Tech Professionals Limited


WestBridge Capital


The British Medical Association


The University of South Wales


The Royal Mint


Mech Tech Professionals Limited


Work highlights


  • Represented Sonovate Limited in recovering several problem debts, including a six-figure debt owed by a national grocery retailer.
  • Acting for Vincent Tan and Cardiff City Football Club in enforcement proceedings against a former director and current minority shareholder of the Club with a view to recovering £400,000.
  • Acted for Tank Cleaning Technologies (a leading degassing and decontamination business for the oil industry in New Zealand) in recovering a six-figure sum from a leading construction and environmental engineering company.

Harding Evans LLP

Led by the 'superb' William Watkins, the 'capable and well-respected' team at Newport-based firm Harding Evans LLP 'achieves excellent results' for high-net-worth-individuals and local businesses, including building merchants, on their debt recovery. The 'very experienced' Watkins 'knows exactly how to use all the procedural weapons at his disposal', and his qualification as a high court baliff ensures that he is well-placed to assist clients on the enforcement of judgment debts. Ben Jenkins also handles some debt recovery work as part of his broader commercial litigation offering.


Practice head(s):

William Watkins


Other key lawyers:

Ben Jenkins


Testimonials

Matters are handled efficiently, with care and professionalism.’

It is a capable and well respected team which achieves excellent results.’

William Watkins is superb in this area and really knows his stuff.’

Key clients

Wet and Forget Limited


Vale of Glamorgan Hotel Limited T/A The Vale Resort


Leekes Limited


Navy Army and Airforce Institutes, (The)


Sam Warburton (former British and Irish Lions Captain


The NAAFI Pension Fund


The TJM Partnership PLC


BOGOD Group Limited (which includes BOGOD & Company Limited and DR Kitchen Appliances Limited)


Hughes Forrest Limited


FW Morgan Limited


Protectahome Limited


William Graham and Co Chartered Surveyors


Euro Foods Group


Menzies LLP


M&J (Europe) Limited


Starlight Management Services Limited


Work highlights


  • Secured a large debt on behalf of a client before the insolvency of the other side, beating other creditors, including our client’s competitors and ensuring 100% recovery for the client.
  • Pursuing a £1m judgment on behalf of Water Treatment Products.
  • Pursuing a debt on behalf of a supplier of recyclable materials across multiple jurisdictions.

JCP Solicitors

Forming a part of the firm's wider commercial litigation offering, which is co-headed by Sophie Thomas and Andrew Meech, JCP Solicitors provides a 'strong and knowledgeable' debt recovery service to local, national and international clients. A particular niche is Thomas' work for lenders, including a major high street bank, recovering both secured and unsecured business lending from companies and individuals throughout England and Wales. In this regard, she is noted for her 'practical, commercial and astute' advice and ability to effectively deal with 'difficult debtors who need a firm but kind approach'.  'Experienced litigator' David Owen is particularly active in relation to debt recovery within an insolvency setting.


Practice head(s):

Sophie Thomas; Andrew Meech


Other key lawyers:

David Owen; Emily Summer


Testimonials

It is a strong and knowledgeable team.’

The team works really well together and is the go-to in this field for the local area.’

‘JCP has a long history of offering specialist legal services to lenders which means the firm has significant experience and strength-in-depth in this area which is normally only found in larger firms but the firm is still able to provide a personalised service.’

Work highlights


Kearns & Co

Unlike the other ranked firms in this section, Caerphilly-based alternative business structure (ABS) Kearns & Co is focused solely on debt recovery matters. Consequently, it is able to provide a very focused offering to clients, not just on the recovery of Wales-based debt but also throughout the UK. Tenancy debt recovery work is a particular strength, with a recent focus stemming from the divergence of rules between England and Wales following the implementation in December 2022 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. The arrival of Waine Mannix from Shoosmiths LLP  in October 2022 strengthens the team in light of his experience, particularly on behalf of lender clients. Mannix co-heads the team alongside Tim Johnson.

Practice head(s):

Waine Mannix; Tim Johnson


Other key lawyers:

Lucinda Wolf; Alastair Bell


Key clients

Hartwell Finance


LSVAF I Kinetic Hatfield Propco Ltd


LSVAF I Kinetic Cardiff Propco Ltd


Berry Smith

Led on a day-to-day basis by associate Jane Rees and also able to leverage the expertise of lawyers within the broader commercial litigation group, Berry Smith provides a cost-effective solution to local and national businesses for credit control, pre-action debt recovery, county court proceedings and the enforcement of judgments. The team has experience in handling small claims, fast track and multi-track matters for clients from a range of sectors, including several recent mandate for recruitment agencies seeking recourse unpaid invoices regarding candidate placements.

 

Practice head(s):

Iwan Doull; Jane Rees; Rhodri Jones


Key clients

ARAG Plc


DS Smith Recycling


Involve Recruitment Group


City Executive Search Limited


Yolk Recruitment Ltd


CP Hire Limited


Bridgend Brickwork Limited


Evergray Limited


GE Door Manufacturing Limited


Work highlights


  • Helping a multinational group of companies pursue its debtors.
  • Instructed by national recruitment company, Yolk Recruitment Group, pursuing unpaid invoices relating to candidate placements.
  • Instructed by City Executive Search Limited, a national recruitment company, to pursue unpaid invoices relating to candidate placements.