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The ‘excellent’ team at DLA Piper UK LLP includes Neil Bowker, who is a ‘sensible litigator and a team player’, and Nick Bamford, who has a ‘good eye for detail’. Key specialisms include domestic and international arbitration, procurement process challenges, pensions litigation and defamation/media work. Major clients include household names such as Kraft, Kodak and Cadbury. The team successfully defended Compass Group against a claim relating to an alleged agreement for introductory fees in the Middle East.

Eversheds LLP’s offering was enhanced by the addition of Mark Surguy (a ‘dogged litigator with a quality brain’) from Pinsent Masons LLP. Other recommended partners include the ‘very organised and efficient’ Diane Bennett and Chris Busby, who is noted for his risk management advice to financial institutions. Highlights included advising Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Public Trust on the public inquiry regarding Mid Staffordshire Hospital. Other clients include the Department for Transport and Hampson Industries. The team is complimented for its ability to ‘quickly understand industry-specific issues’.

Hill Hofstetter LLP is regularly involved in complex international litigation and arbitration, and has a number of standout individuals, notably the ‘absolutely top-drawer’ Stephen Barker, who is especially recommended for arbitration; the ‘very bright’ Jonathan Hofstetter; and the ‘very experienced’ Jim Sharkey (who is highly rated for offshore litigation). It successfully represented the German arm of a global medical equipment supplier in a €7m dispute arising from the termination of a commercial agreement with a Turkish distribution company. New partner Richard Waugh is ‘extremely thorough’.

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for clients such as Britannia Building Society, Telent and Mitie. Greg Lowson, an accredited mediator, is highly regarded, as is the ‘calm and practical’ Jonathan Fortnam, who is also a qualified solicitor advocate. Jim Richards led the team in acting for Müller, the yogurt manufacturer, in a major contractual dispute with robotics company RTS over the automation of its production lines at Market Drayton. The group includes an in-house forensic accounting team.

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘first-class team at all levels’, and reports a growing volume of instructions in international litigation and arbitration. It advised Russian property developer Synergy in relation to its $90m investment in AIM-listed company RGI International, while other clients include BA and National Grid. Andrew Manning Cox is ‘very measured and statesman like’; Eddie Breen is singled out for his abilities on ‘difficult matters’. Sian Llewellyn retired, and Richard Ellison joined Shoosmiths. Peter Flint joined the firm in London as head of international arbitration.

Cobbetts LLP’s team includes ‘sharp and detailed thinker’ Andrew Leach and the ‘very bright’ Richard Whittingham. In one standout matter, the team acted for a Russian oligarch in the defence of a personal guarantee claim (worth $50m) in proceedings before the London Court of International Arbitration, involving the co-ordination of litigation in Cyprus and Russia.

At Gateley, the ‘very sensible’ Stephen Goodrham and his team ‘fight very hard, but fairly’ for clients. The practice has recently been instructed by several large corporates in cases involving breaches of restrictive covenants and confidentiality. A highlight was acting for Exception Group, in relation to an alleged senior-level conspiracy to take a large part of the business and set up with a competitor.

Martineau has a diverse practice and provides a ‘very professional and timely service’. It is advising YouTravel.com in a claim brought by an Irish company in the Bankruptcy Court of Florida. Other clients include npower, the British Hallmarking Council, and over 30 higher and further education institutions nationwide. The ‘very accessible’ Andrew Adams heads the team, and David Gwyther provides ‘robust advice when necessary’.

Mills & Reeve LLP is acting for a global oil company in the recovery of £2.3m from a Swiss private equity surety company. Recent client gains include Karndean International, Helvetia Wealth (Liechtenstein) and SCA Recycling, adding to an already impressive list of clients that features Toyota Tsusho and the Law Society. Practice head Steve Allen ‘goes that extra yard for clients’.

Shoosmiths’ Alex Bishop receives many plaudits from clients and is ‘dedicated to achieving the best results’. It advised Roadchef in a claim for breach of a long-term facilities management contract, and also acts for Calor Gas and Debenhams Retail. Richard Ellison (formerly of Wragge & Co LLP) and Mel Chell (formerly of Gateley) are recommended for finance litigation.

Squire Sanders Hammonds ‘goes that extra mile’ for clients. The practice has flourished with a number of key banking panel appointments, and has recently acted on some significant cross-border disputes. Its impressive roster of clients includes Aldi Stores and AXA UK. Simon Garbett is ‘flexible and approachable’, and ‘very helpful’ associate Amanda Beaton receives many accolades from clients.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP acted for a manufacturing company in a dispute about a distribution agreement, led by the ‘very knowledgeable’ Nick Carter. Another highlight was advising a council client in the defence of a contractor’s claim for wrongful termination. The team also secured an appointment to represent the claimant in a multimillion-pound property dispute.

Buller Jeffries has an excellent reputation in product liability and fire claims work. Key individuals include the ‘highly astute’ Roger Coates and the ‘unflappable’ Derek Adamson. Instructions come from a wide range of insurance clients (such as Zurich and Gallagher Bassett) and from large corporates.

Irwin Mitchell LLP ‘provides a highly professional service’ and has been advising on a diverse range of cases from shareholder disputes to professional negligence matters. The ‘very switched-on’ Mark Elder is recommended along with associate Greg Saunders, who ‘gets to the heart of the matter quickly and efficiently’.

Shakespeares advises on the full gamut of disputes, from franchising cases to product liability claims, with Mark Beesley heading the three-partner practice. Tim Lawrence is ‘very proactive and accessible’, and Sundeep Ladwa is ‘very sensitive to clients’ specific requirements’. Clients include SVA and Birmingham City University.

The Wilkes Partnership acts for SIG Trading and its subsidiaries, and Saint-Gobain Building Distribution and its UK subsidiaries (including Jewson). Nigel Wood heads the team, which is currently advising on a significant breach of contract and defective products claim.

Bevan Brittan LLP successfully acted for Sandwell MBC in a legal challenge relating to the government’s failure to properly consult on a decision to withdraw funding for certain school building projects. Adam Kendall is the key contact.

Blakemores’ key contact is Eddie Flanagan. The team advises on a broad spectrum of disputes, and has particular experience in automotive and asset finance litigation.

Challinors Solicitors is on the Treasury Solicitors’ panel providing litigation support and investigation services, and is increasingly active in fraud disputes. Peter Lowe heads a ‘reliable’ team.

Clarke Willmott LLP advised Ben Collins (The Stig) in his dispute with the BBC concerning the publication of his memoirs. Other clients include CSJ Planning Consultants and DTZ Debenhams Tie Leung. Owen Williams leads the team. Tom Read is now at Higgs & Sons.

Dass Solicitors is regularly involved in cases with an international element, and is currently advising in a civil fraud case in the UK and the Far East. Associate Cassandra Bates is the primary contact.

Freeth Cartwright LLP advises on a broad range of cases including shareholder disputes and defective goods claims. Raymond Joyce is the primary contact.

At Harvey Ingram LLP, current work for practice head Barry Jervis includes an ongoing dispute between shareholders of a well-known company.

Sydney Mitchell has been advising on a wide range of disputes from potential shareholder disputes to probate claims. The highly rated Dean Parnell and Kamal Majevadia jointly lead the team.

Weightmans LLP advises on matters ranging from small claims on fixed fees to multi-party actions in the Chancery Division. The team enjoyed particular success in attracting more public sector clients. Associate Peter Brewer is a key contact at the Birmingham office.

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