Banking litigation in West Midlands

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Counting HSBC, Nationwide Building Society and Santander among its key roster of clients, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s sizeable team boasts a strong track record in high-end litigation, with demonstrable experience in handling disputes for challenger banks. Following the departure of Neville Gray in December 2022, Martin Ward spearheads the West Midlands practice and specialises in motor, asset and invoice finance, while Chris Busby heads the firm’s UK financial disputes and investigations group. Victoria Savage handles high-value commercial lending litigation, in addition to payment protection insurance disputes, and principal associate Daniel Murphy advises on authorised push payment fraud mandates. Other key contacts in the team include principal associates Amanda Rowley and Sarah Hope.

Practice head(s):

Martin Ward; Sarah Langham; Chris Busby


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Savage; Daniel Murphy; Amanda Rowley; Sarah Hope


Key clients

HSBC UK Bank plc


Nationwide Building Society


Santander UK plc


Creation Financial Services Limited


Options UK Personal Pensions LLP


Very Group


Studio Retail Limited


Legal & General Group plc


Together


Aviva Life and Pensions UK Limited


Work highlights


  • Defending HSBC UK Bank plc in the Ingenious litigation.
  • Defending several thousand litigated payment protection insurance claims brought against a number of major clients, including HSBC UK Bank plc and Creation Financial Service.
  • Following FTX filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US, supporting our US team advising an ad hoc committee of non-US creditors of FTX.com (principally comprising institutions and other exchanges) as regards claims for digital assets, e-money and fiat currency deposited with cryptocurrency exchange FTX.com, with claims valued around USD$2 billion. FTX.com’s terms are governed by English law, which is why English legal advice on novel areas of digital asset law is required.

Shoosmiths LLP

The ‘highly commercial’ practice at Shoosmiths LLP handles a broad range of asset, motor and consumer disputes, banking litigation and contentious insolvency matters, in addition to title disputes, fraud cases and contested recoveries matters. The team, who ‘are not afraid to burn the midnight oil when a case requires extra attention’, is led by ‘commercially minded and approachableRoger Potgieter, who acts for banks and other lenders defending mis-selling claims. Senior associate and ‘master of detailJordon Bray focuses on asset, motor and consumer finance litigation, while principal associate Charlotte Healey advises on fraud investigation and recovery mandates.

Practice head(s):

Roger Potgieter


Other key lawyers:

Alex Bishop; Jordon Bray; Charlotte Healey


Testimonials

‘One of the most hard-working teams I have come across. They are not afraid to burn the midnight oil when a case requires extra attention.’

‘Roger Potgieter really knows his stuff. Is keen to assist with all aspects of the case and is very generous with his expertise. Great with client care and winning new work. Very personable and great fun to work with.’

‘Jordon Bray is always available to discuss knotty issues and bounce ideas off. Cannot do enough for the client and the cases he is running. Calm under pressure and very personable. A joy to work with.’

‘Roger Potgieter is very good to work with, on the ball, commercially minded and approachable.’

‘The team at Shoosmiths are extremely knowledgeable and their understanding of the nuances of the matters they are dealing with is superb. Their instructions are always clear, detailed and prompt, and they are a pleasure to work with.’

‘A very strong team with extensive experience in this area, particularly in claims under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. They combine determination to protect their clients’ interests with a practical approach which, in my experience, has consistently led to good outcomes.’

‘Roger Potgieter leads from the front, whether in advising clients, communicating with opponents, briefing counsel, or providing support to the rest of his team. He is very knowledgeable and not afraid to stick to his guns when he knows he’s right. Jordon Bray is a master of detail, always available when needed and able to meet tight deadlines.’

‘Shoosmiths are highly commercial in their approach and provide effective advice on a regular basis to our business.’

Key clients

Arkle Finance Limited


Bibby Financial Services


Grenke Leasing Limited


JBR Capital Limited


LeasePlan UK Limited


Propel Finance Plc


PSA Finance UK Limited


Simply Asset Finance


Societe Generale Equipment Finance


Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited


Volvo Financial Services


Work highlights


  • Acting for a non-bank lender in Judicial Review proceedings against the Financial Ombudsman Service decision relating to the alleged mis-selling of timeshare products.
  • Instructed by an asset finance lender to apply for an injunction to secure the delivery up of 34 items of machinery and vehicles from 10 Defendants, with a value in excess of £1m.
  • Acting for a number of banks and other lenders defending mis-selling and other claims brought against them under various provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, including section 75 (connected lender liability) and section 140A (unfair relationships).

Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs’ Birmingham-based team frequently collaborates with the firm’s Manchester office and has demonstrable experience advising on retail mis-selling claims associated with film finance, bonds and investment management services and payment protection insurance. On account of the firm’s global footprint, the team is well-placed to handle cross-jurisdictional financial services disputes. Director Ian Skinner advises lenders on fraud and professional negligence matters, while senior associate Mariyam Harunah provides a ‘clear analysis of the issues, and rapid feedback with suggestions for next steps’. Simon Garbett left to Mills & Reeve LLP.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Sampson


Other key lawyers:

Ian Skinner; Mariyam Harunah


Testimonials

‘Mariyam Harunah did an excellent job. Clear analysis of the issues, and rapid feedback with suggestions for next steps.’

Key clients

Representative Beneficiary of the Newell Rubbermaid UK Pension Scheme


Representative Beneficiary of the Humberclyde Pension Scheme


Work highlights


  • Acting for a representative member of the Parker and Sanford section of the Newell Rubbermaid UK Pension Scheme in a claim brought by the trustee seeking clarification from the court as to member benefit entitlements.
  • Advised a representative member of the Humberclyde Pension Scheme in an application to correct errors relating to an accrual rate contained in a Deed of Amendment used to calculate pension benefits payable to members.