The Legal 500

ESSEX HOUSE, MANOR STREET, HULL, HU1 1XH, ENGLAND

What we say about the firm's legal practice in Yorkshire and the Humber

Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial: East Yorkshire and the Humber, Andrew Jackson is a first tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s wide-ranging experience includes significant work in the dairy and food sector, including acting for Arla Foods on certain transactions and joint venture arrangements. 2010 highlights included advising Henderson Insurance Brokers on the acquisition of Denney O’Hara, and acting for the vendor on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Cherry Valley Farms to the Bangkok Ranch Group. Andrew Funnell heads the department, which includes the ‘solid, sound and professional’ Martin Whitehead.

Dispute resolution

Within Commercial litigation: East Yorkshire and the Humber, Andrew Jackson is a first tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s team is ‘professional, competent, committed and honourable’, with capability across a wide range of matters including contractual and commercial disputes, product liability and economic torts. Practice head Hugh Smith is renowned for his ‘razor-sharp mind’ and ‘ability to untangle the small print’. The practice also includes well-respected practitioners Peter Duffus and Jeff Swales.

Finance

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Andrew Jackson acts for a mix of UK and overseas banks. Clients value the team’s ‘approachability’ and ‘commercial advice’.

Human resources

Within Employment: East Yorkshire, Andrew Jackson is a first tier firm,

The arrival of Mary Walker from Rollits LLP bolstered the ‘excellent’ team at Andrew Jackson, which is led by Jonathan Dale and offers a full service, mainly to employers. Clients include a major manufacturer. Lee Whiting is noted for his ‘confidence and knowledge’.

Within Health and safety, Andrew Jackson is a second tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s team advised a manufacturing company in relation to a corporate manslaughter charge in 2010, and was also instructed in relation to a major regulatory investigation. Jeff Swales is the key partner.

Overview

Within Regional review,

Other notable firms in Leeds include Cobbetts LLP; DWF LLP; Gordons LLP; Clarion; and Schofield Sweeney; and they are set to be joined by Dickinson Dees LLP, which has recently announced plans to move its Yorkshire base to the city from York. Harrogate is home to McCormicks, while Hull’s leading players include Rollits LLP and Andrew Jackson.

Private client

Within Agriculture and estates, Andrew Jackson is a second tier firm,

The 10-fee-earner team at Andrew Jackson increased its work in the renewable energy field, working on a number of wind farm projects for landowners and farmers. Highlights in 2010 included advising a landlord on a major reorganisation of existing tenancies under the Agricultural Tenancies Act.

Within Charities, tier 4

The nine-fee-earner team at Andrew Jackson regularly advises local and national charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Within Family: North, South and East Yorkshire, Andrew Jackson is a second tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s team acts on a national and international basis, handling litigation, mediation, and ancillary relief matters. Richard Hoare heads the department.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Andrew Jackson is a third tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s team is appreciated for its ‘strength in depth, professional nature and knowledge’, and receives referrals from other firms nationwide. Highlights in 2010 included advising on the administration of a substantial UK estate for a non-domiciled individual. The ‘outstanding’ Kevin Webster heads the department.

Projects, energy and natural resources (including PFI)

Within Project finance and PFI, Andrew Jackson is a third tier firm,

Andrew Jackson regularly advises in relation to wind farm projects and waste-to-energy plants. Andrew Oliver heads the firm’s well-respected renewable energy group.

Real estate

Within Commercial property: North and East Yorkshire, Andrew Jackson is a first tier firm,

Andrew Jackson is a ‘leader in the area’ and has ‘good business acumen’. The experienced nine-partner team counts ABP, Carpetright and Heron Frozen Food as longstanding clients, and has also been advising Humberside Police Authority, Baker Tilly and Bridgeland Developments. Practice head Bill Fisher’s ‘quality stands out in major cases’.

Within Construction Construction

Within Property litigation Property litigation

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Intellectual property , Andrew Jackson is a third tier firm,

Andrew Jackson’s team works closely with the firm’s dispute resolution practice. In 2010 it acted for a number of plcs, and Arco and Nuffield Wellbeing are other clients.

Within IT and telecoms IT and telecoms

Transport

Within Transport , Andrew Jackson is a first tier firm,

The ‘absolutely excellent’ transport practice at Andrew Jackson is a market leader, with teams dedicated to wet and dry shipping, sea fisheries and marine environment, and delivers an ‘accommodating, knowledgeable, professional and timely service’. Dominic Ward heads the department and is noted for his ‘knowledge and efficiency’.


Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
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    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
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