The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: The West Country, Foot Anstey is a first tier firm,

Foot Anstey ‘works effectively to deliver objectives’. The group advised Progressive Digital Media Group on acquiring Canadean’s issued share capital, and represented Viridor Waste Management on buying Pearsons Group. Richard Coombs and James Evans deliver ‘valuable advice’ and ‘turn matters around speedily’, and Duncan Sykes and Helen Wallwork are ‘very personable and steadfast’. Al Goodwin joined from Burges Salmon LLP.

Within Corporate tax, Foot Anstey is a second tier firm,

Foot Anstey ‘finds proactive solutions’, and John Pindard and Malcolm Emery’s advice is ‘straightforward without jargon’; they ‘will go the extra mile’ for clients. The firm provided VAT advice for a not-for-profit organisation on a multimillion-pound residential care home portfolio redevelopment. Other clients include Devon Wind Power and The Mercers’ Company.

Within EU and competition, tier 4

Rachel Robinson is the key figure at Foot Anstey.

Within Crime, Foot Anstey is a second tier firm,

The quality of Foot Anstey’s work is always ‘very high’. Nigel Lyons is one of the ‘region’s best criminal solicitors’ and has developed expertise in representing farmers (he is a member of the NFU legal panel) and nurses.

Within Licensing, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Nigel Lyons heads Foot Anstey’s licensing team, which handles all aspects of licensing, including applications, hearings and reviews. Recent instructions include assisting the Clipper pub on a licensing review brought by the police; and acting for Maxine’s nightclub in Plymouth following an emergency review by the police.

Within Commercial litigation: The West Country, Foot Anstey is a second tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s David Turner is ‘highly rated’ and ‘never misses a point’. The team has been acting for investors in the Arch Cru class action, and for a retired independent financial adviser who is bringing an action for breach of human rights against the FSA.

Within Debt recovery, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey advises on a range of debt recovery and related matters for clients including Hitachi Capital Business Finance and Helston Garages. Sian Phillips ably assists team head Angus McNicol.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Foot Anstey ‘deals effectively with sensitive situations’, with the ‘calm and highly assured’ Robin Brown leading on litigation and Richard Sutton leading on non-contentious matters. The team represented NatWest on a £3.7m development finance matter, and defended a major bank against a claim by a liquidator.

Within Employment: The West Country, Foot Anstey is a first tier firm,

Foot Anstey has earned new clients such as Plymouth Community Homes and Rodda’s, to add to longstanding clients including Odeon Cinemas and Torbay Council. The team provided the Eden Project with general employment support and tribunal advice. Team head Matthew Huddleson is recommended, as is Patrick Howarth.

Within Health and safety, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s Nigel Lyons acts on many agricultural matters.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Foot Anstey is a first tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s ‘dynamic’ team exhibits ‘great depth of expertise’ across catastrophic injury, wrongful birth and misdiagnosis cases. Mike Bird is valued for his ‘expertise, professionalism and a real ethos of dedication’, and Claire Stoneman is a ‘jewel in the crown’. Team head Robert Antrobus is also recommended.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

The ‘excellent quality of service’ at Foot Anstey draws praise, with practice head Chris Thorne displaying ‘very good judgement and instinct’. Juliette Clarke joined from Bond Pearce LLP.

Within Regional review, tier 4

Other heavyweight presences in the region include West Country firms Foot Anstey; Lester Aldridge LLP, which remains a market leader in Dorset; Michelmores LLP; and Stephens Scown LLP.

Within Agriculture and estates, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s ‘excellent, very responsive’ team has a growing niche in photovoltaic power developments, and also recently acted on a number of high-value farm sales. Richard Bagwell is recommended for landlord and tenant matters, and Simon Gregory is a ‘good all-rounder’.

Within Charities, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey provides ‘excellent, very approachable and responsive service’. The team advised Shelterbox, a Cornish charity, on a wide range of matters, and the Dartington Hall Trust on various commercial, property and pensions issues. Practice head James Evans and Anna Roderick are ‘true specialists and leading lights’ in the region.

Within Family, Foot Anstey is a second tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s team offers ‘excellent mediation and advocacy skills’, and acts on high-value matrimonial, childcare and family cases. Practice head Helen Bull is ‘Plymouth’s most respected and liked family lawyer’. Mark Chanter heads the high-value matrimonial practice.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s Angela Bridges demonstrates ‘great interpersonal skills and high professional competence’.

Within Education, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey offers ‘exceptional advice and guidance’ to clients including Exeter College and Cornwall College of Further Education. Julia Green’s team has much experience in academy conversions.

Within Local government, tier 4

Foot Anstey provides an ‘excellent level of service’ to clients such as Torbay Council and Cornwall Council. Gareth Pinwell heads the team, and Mark Chanter offers ‘confident and honest’ advice.

Within Commercial property: The West Country, Foot Anstey is a first tier firm,

Foot Anstey has ‘good strength in depth’, with practice head Richard Sutton, Nigel Coveney and Simon Gregory all recommended. The team advised Mount Wise on a £100m redevelopment and Broadley Park Properties on lease matters. One client says, ‘for serious problems I would not go anywhere else’.

Within Construction, tier 4

Foot Anstey ‘makes the client feel valued’, and Chris Hoar regularly impresses. Cornwall Care and Home Claim Repair is a client.

Within Planning Planning

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Foot Anstey’s ‘superb negotiator’ Richard Bagwell ‘outmanoeuvres the other side’. Clients include the Ministry of Defence, Northcliffe Media, Sutton Harbour Group and The Wrigley Company.

Within Intellectual property, Foot Anstey is a third tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s IP team is ‘excellent on all counts’, with Marlene Howels particularly recommended.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Foot Anstey’s Edmund Probert ‘ goes the extra mile’ for clients.

Within Media and entertainment, Foot Anstey is a first tier firm,

Foot Anstey’s ‘excellent, empathetic, quick and reliable’ team represents Associated Newspapers, Northcliffe Media, and Odeon Cinemas. Chris Worrell heads the team, in which the ‘proactive’ Tony Jaffa – a major player in the industry – and the ‘knowledgeable, clear and helpful’ Cathryn Smith are also recommended.