The Legal 500

25 NORTH ROW, LONDON, W1K 6DJ
Tel:
Work 020 7323 4747
Fax:
Fax 020 7629 4414
DX:
9057 WEST END
Web:
www.fladgate.com
Email:

What we say about the firm's legal practice in London

Corporate and commercial

Within Flotations - small and mid-cap, Fladgate LLP is a third tier firm,

Fladgate LLP advised Mortice on its admission to AIM, while broker clients include Strand Partners and Charles Stanley Securities. Charles Wander and Julian Lewis are recommended.

Within M&A - smaller deals up to £50m, Fladgate LLP is a first tier firm,

The SME sector remains a natural market for Charles Wander’s burgeoning team at Fladgate LLP, which expanded to 12 partners in 2008. The hotel sector and international work are other key areas of focus.

Dispute resolution

Within Banking litigation,

Other practices deserving of mention include: Bird & Bird LLP, for its knowledge of the structured finance sector and ‘what makes banks tick’; Fladgate LLP’s ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘practical’ team, notably Paul Howcroft (‘calm’, ‘knowledgeable’) and Stephen Hayes (‘meticulous’ and ‘quick to react’); Glovers Solicitors LLP, for retail banking litigation; K&L Gates, where Anne McCarthy represents both retail and commercial banks, and hedge funds; Masseys LLP, which is ‘excellent’, ‘responsive’ and ‘helpful on all fronts’), and noted for its willingness to litigate against banks and the expertise of the ‘tenacious and ‘analytical’ Jane Colston and Sean Upson; Mishcon de Reya, for its retail work; Salans, where Kevin Heath is a ‘no-nonsense and straight-talking litigator’ with ‘in-depth knowledge’ of the asset finance and consumer credit sectors; and TLT LLP, for its rapid emergence in the City and its increasing exposure to the financial markets.

Finance

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 7

Avram Kelman at Fladgate LLP is ‘quick-thinking and entrepreneurial’.

Human resources

Within Employment, tier 8

Fladgate LLP has a ‘knowledgeable and commercial approach’.

Insurance

Private client

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 5

Fladgate LLP handles all aspects of tax planning and trusts advice including structuring for non-domiciliaries, inheritance tax and estate planning, cross-border structuring for personal investments, and managing, acquiring and disposing of trust property. Recent highlights include setting up a structure for an international client wishing to invest in real estate across Europe. David Way leads the team.

Real estate

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Fladgate LLP is recommended for development work. Recent engagements include advising on urban regeneration schemes such as HDG Mansur’s development in Bristol, and on numerous projects for Cathedral, Mount Anvil, and new client, the Zog Group. The group recently attracted a number of property mandates in the nursing home sector. Allen Cohen leads the practice. Anthony Vaughan is rated for hotel and leisure advice.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Fladgate LLP represents numerous lenders and investors, such as Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland, Zurich Bank and Close Brothers. Recent key deals include advising Tritax Securities 1 on raising £175m for commercial property purchases. Richard Kaufman’s team ‘gives great advice, and is very dynamic and knowledgeable. They’re very approachable with huge knowledge and experience’.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Fladgate LLP receives repeat instructions from existing clients such as Random House, Starbucks and Odeon Cinemas. It advised a national housebuilder in connection with a corporate purchaser’s failure to complete its acquisition of multiple properties. Alison Mould is ‘efficient, with work turnaround times better than experienced elsewhere’, and the ‘excellent’ Janet Keeley is also recommended.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Media and entertainment, tier 5

At Fladgate LLP, David Robinson advised Random House on e-book and digital rights issues. Eddie Powell advised The Book Service and the Publishers Association on issues arising from the administration of Woolworths. Litigator Simon Ekins is recommended.

Within Sport

Transport

Within Aviation, tier 5

Fladgate LLP’s practice focuses on core contentious work, advising charterers, financiers and airlines on contractual and maintenance and lien disputes. Litigation partner Simon Cullingworth heads the team.


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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    - SJ Berwin LLP
  • New Commission

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