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Beswicks Solicitors LLP provides a ‘very professional and excellent service’, and is experienced in complex disputes, recently advising on multimillion-pound cases involving a worldwide product recall; a catastrophic fire to a warehouse complex; and a dispute between a Premier League football club and its former manager. Its impressive roster of clients includes Twyford Bathrooms and Waterworld UK Holdings. Head of department Graham Neyt and Stephen Taylor attract high praise from clients, and are ‘commercial’.

Harrison Clark LLP is complimented for its ‘pragmatic approach to issues’. It advises on a wide range of commercial issues, including breach of warranty and covenant claims arising out of asset and share sales agreements, and shareholder and partnership disputes. Richard Morgan (a deputy district judge) and Andrew Cave are ‘very commercially minded’. The team recently has been involved in claims ranging in value from £50,000 to over £10m.

Higgs & Sons now has four partners following the addition of the ‘very knowledgeable’ Tom Read from Clarke Willmott LLP. Head of department Julia Lowe is highly rated by clients, and ‘always keeps a cool head’. The ‘efficient’ Nyree Applegarth is acting for Martin Vickers in a claim for a declaration that a legal charge was a sham and should be set aside. The team is ‘on the up’.

Stephen Hadley at KJD Freeth LLP continues to advise a power station on the potential risk of coal mining subsidence. Tim Calloway has been dealing with an unusual claim for equitable estoppel by a former girlfriend against a high-net-worth individual. The team has added a major international logistics company to its roster of clients, joining The Crown Estate and JCB Group.

Jeff Tombs at Knights solicitors llp continues to represent a major minerals provider in a multimillion-pound application to the Lands Tribunal for compensation, while Andrew Davidson continues to represent a national building company defending an action for specific performance to complete a real estate contract. Clients include Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Dualit.

The ‘very client-focused’ Sarah Perry heads a five-partner practice at Wright Hassall LLP, which acts for names such as Tumble Tots (UK), British Showjumping and Futures Housing Group. The team’s current workload includes three cases in the Court of Appeal, and ongoing international arbitrations in Hong Kong and Geneva.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP acts for Carillion and Marston’s among others, with Guy Birkett heading a team of 17 dedicated litigators. Recent matters include advising a company accused of anti-competitive practices, and acting in a partnership dispute in which fraud was alleged.

George Green LLP has the ‘very capable’ Neil Williams, with James Coles also recommended. The team handles the full gamut of disputes and has considerable experience in obtaining emergency injunctions and handling search orders. It recently acted for the defendant in a £7m unfair prejudice case.

Hawkins Hatton LLP’s head of department, Harminder Sandhu, is ‘knowledgeable, exact and reliable’. The team’s experience includes cases involving breaches of directors’ duties and serious white-collar fraud.

Brian Evans at Lanyon Bowdler advised a football club in a dispute involving allegations of poor workmanship and breach of a £500,000 contract for the provision of an artificial grass pitch. The firm is one of two panel firms appointed by the NFU to advise its members in the West Midlands under the NFU’s Legal Assistance Scheme.

At mfg Solicitors LLP, Tom Esler heads a team that has recently received instructions on breach of warranty, directors’ disqualification, and shareholder disputes.

Patrick Tedstone heads the team at ORJ Solicitors LLP. Current work includes a shareholder dispute, a warranty claim and a dispute relating to trusts.

Alsters Kelley LLP’s team works closely with the firm’s commercial and private client departments. Associate John Simister is the primary contact.

Ansons LLP continues to advise Marston’s on various landlord and tenant matters. Associate Martin de Ridder is a key contact, with experience in commercial property, IP and construction disputes.

Band Hatton LLP’s team is led by Jonathan Wilby. It handles a varied caseload for the firm’s commercial property, charities and education clients.

Martin Kaye LLP Solicitors’ Graham Davies advises on diverse matters, including product liability claims and partnership disputes.

Thursfields’ Mark Pittaway has the ability ‘to make you feel that he is completely on your side’. He is experienced in alternative dispute resolution.

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