The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in the North West, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Sally Wightman gives ‘superb M&A advice and makes complex issues appear less so’. Clients include Hawker Beechcraft, Fullwood Group and Chester Race Company, and the team is also noted for its expertise advising NHS trusts on corporate transactions.

Within Corporate and commercial: Liverpool, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s ‘excellent’ team is led by ‘quality operator’ Jonathan Brown, and includes Sue Russell and Craig Scott. All three are noted for their ‘commercial acumen, technical ability, negotiating skills’, and Sally Wightman gives ‘superb M&A advice’. The firm advised on Stobart Group’s £120m LSE listing and £20m acquisition in a biomass joint venture, and on Kuehne & Nagel’s acquisition of Rennies Freight Services. Its strong plc client base includes CRH, Johnson Service Group and Carr’s Milling Industries.

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, tier 4

Cobbetts LLP continues to advise regional private equity groups and companies, with new clients including ADC Biotechnology and CT Investment Partners. Nicola Frost advised Reed & Mackay Travel on a multimillion-pound investment by ECI Partners and ISIS. The team is led by national practice head Sean Fitzgerald and Paul Johnson. Ian Riggs left for Hill Dickinson LLP in April 2012.

Within Corporate tax, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

At Hill Dickinson LLP, tax specialist Saad Ahmed is recommended.

Within Crime, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has strengthened its criminal offering through the hire of Philip Moy from Canter Levin & Berg and Lachlan Nisbet from Walker Smith Way. The practice recently acted in a well-publicised murder case and in high-value money laundering cases. Kirsty Ruddin is the firm’s legal aid contract supervisor.

Within Commercial litigation: Elsewhere in the North West, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s strength lies in Consumer Credit Act litigation. Team head Iain Campbell has ‘a meticulous yet pragmatic approach to commercial disputes’.

Within Commercial litigation: Liverpool, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has been involved in some noteworthy Supreme Court cases; among them, Jonathan Berkson acted in Jivraj v Hashwani, a contractual dispute regarding whether arbitrators can be considered employees. Clients include Thomson Reuters, Eddie Stobart and Bibby Financial Services. Colin Gibbons is appreciated for his ‘City experience and quality of work’, and Fiona Parry is ‘incredibly bright and unflappable’.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP ‘always considers the commerciality aspect of any potential litigation’, and has specialist expertise in sports disputes, fraud and public inquiries. Practice head Geraldine Ryan has ‘an excellent grasp of issues at hand, and is tenacious in her pursuit of the right results for clients’. She continued to act for Wayne and Coleen Rooney and their companies in a claim brought by former agents. Julian Diaz-Rainey is defending an £8m claim brought by Anglo Irish Asset Finance.

Within Debt recovery, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s debt recovery team is ‘excellent in every way’, with practice head Jonathan Berkson recommended for ‘larger, complex claims’. Clients include Bibby Factors Northwest Ltd and United Utilities. The team successfully acted in a Court of Appeal case over the non-payment of fees to a football agent. Philip Sheard is also recommended.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Valued for its ‘in-depth knowledge’, Hill Dickinson LLP acts for corporate borrowers, asset finance groups and major UK banks. Richard Capper heads the practice. Beverley Bentley, who has ‘excellent knowledge and is very responsive’, acted for Lloyds on the secondary buyout of Go Outdoors. Patrick Keown advised Manchester Cables on a £43.1m refinancing.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP ‘demonstrates clarity and a clear understanding of both practical and legal considerations’. Practice head Jeremy Reilly is ‘pure quality’, and focuses on pensions-related matters. Martin March has handled ABL-related insolvencies, and Liverpool-based Paul Spence acts for banks and receivers.

Within Employment, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s team provides ‘an extremely high standard of service’ and is led by Jeff Middleton, who is ‘exceptional in his knowledge and his support’. It advises NHS clients on a variety of issues, and has also been active for clients in the logistics sector. Kerstina Skeaping is a ‘highly skilled litigator and advocate’.

Within Health and safety, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s team is ‘very strong and on the up’. It recently hired Philip Moy from Canter Levin & Berg, who has ‘excellent knowledge’. Highlights included successfully defending Buro Happold against a HSE prosecution in relation to a crane collapse. Other clients include Siemens and Vauxhall. Richard Green is head of department.

Within Pensions, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s team is led by Andrew Ashley Taylor, who advises on restructuring and liability management matters. Clients include Electricity North West and Enterprise plc.

Within Clinical negligence: defendant, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s team is ‘excellent in every way’, and is led by Richard Watson. Its recent high-profile work includes defending the Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust in a high-value group action. Andrew Leslie is ‘professional, with impeccable judgement’; and Manchester office head Andrew Craggs has ‘excellent technical expertise’.

Within Personal injury: defendant, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP ‘wonderfully dedicated team’ covers a wide range of sectors, and acts for retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco. The team includes Jason Bleasdale, a disease specialist; Peter Oakes, who heads the firm’s growing fraud department; and Jason Spencer, whose recent work includes acting for RSA in relation to a high-profile group action involving allegations of child abuse, which is set for the Supreme Court.

Within Professional negligence, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Ruth Lawrence has a strong reputation for her work in the construction sector. She recently acted for civil and structural engineering firm John Allen Associates in a case against Co-operative Group Ltd, which provided authority as to the use of experts. Other clients include The Veterinary Defence Society, Aviva and Quinn. ‘An expert in the area’, Sarah Naylor specialises in claims against IFAs; and Fleur Rochester is also recommended.

Within Regional overview, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has a leading position in the Liverpool market, and is building its presence in Manchester, recently hiring corporate partner Ian Riggs from Cobbetts LLP. It has restructured its management, to focus on its traditional strengths in the marine, trade, insurance and health sectors.

Within Agriculture and estates, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has a growing agriculture practice, led by Robin Jones. It retains links with agricultural mortgage lenders such as NFU Mutual and HSBC, and also acts for private individuals on matters including restructuring and partnership formation.

Within Charities, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Mark Fitzgibbon advises on formation, regulatory compliance and restructuring matters, and is trustee and chair of all charities in The Big Life Group.

Within Family, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘very experienced and pragmatic’ Tricia Cottrell re-joined Hill Dickinson LLP’s Liverpool team from JMW Solicitors LLP. The practice represented a high-profile sports client in a Children’s Act matter, and is increasingly assisting on high-profile prenuptial agreements.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

The team at Hill Dickinson LLP advises in relation to substantial estates, the restructuring of settlements and international tax planning. Practice head Paul Baker is ‘very trustworthy and measured’. Sean Williams joined the team from Addleshaw Goddard LLP, and has ‘exceptional technical expertise’. Ian Sydenham was promoted to partner.

Within Project finance and PFI, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP is focused on the energy and healthcare sectors. It advised Peel Holdings on an infrastructure project at MediaCity and National Express on a solar energy development, while other clients include Liverpool City Council and Electricity North West. Practice head Stephen Lansdown ‘instils confidence and makes a good project leader’.

Within Education, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP gives ‘straightforward advice and is proactive’. Iain Campbell leads on higher and further education matters. David Rawlinson is head of the schools team, and recently acted in a case involving an independent school appealing a de-registration notice by the Secretary of State.

Within Health, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s full-service team is headed by Allan Mowat, who has an excellent reputation. It provides ‘prompt, professional, accessible advice’ to a client base of over 100 NHS and private sector groups, and is a member of the North West Collaborative Hub. It acted in the Mid Staffordshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry, and advised Morecambe Bay NHS Trust on the Furness General Hospital investigation. Newly promoted partner Philippa Hipwell is ‘excellent, dedicated, professional and prepared to go the extra mile’, and Sharon Thomas is also recommended.

Within Local government, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP is strong in property and planning matters, and boosted its procurement practice with the hire of Mark Fitzgibbon from Cobbetts LLP.

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in the North West, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP acts for Chester Cathedral, Bank of Ireland and Wrexham County Borough Council. Robin Jones heads the practice, supported by the ‘very talented and knowledgeable’ Brent Williams.

Within Commercial property: Liverpool, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has a team of ‘highly qualified, skilled professionals who pride themselves on being friendly and approachable’, and specialist teams focused on retail, corporate, investment and utilities sectors. Peter Barlow is praised for his ‘industry knowledge and invaluable advice’, and acts for public sector clients; and Abby Dry, who ‘executes transactions efficiently’ and is ‘very client facing’, advised New River Retail on property transactions. Other clients include Peel Holdings, The Co-operative Group and United Utilities.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, tier 4

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Michael Blakey has particular experience in investment matters, recently acting on Eltasco’s £24.5m sale of the Zenith Building. Other clients include DTZ, Selbourne Group and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Within Construction, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP demonstrates ‘a good understanding of complex issues’ in transactional and contentious matters. Highlights included contract advice to Lancashire Cricket Club in relation to the Old Trafford cricket ground redevelopment, and a tender win for Liverpool City Council to construct an exhibition and hotel complex. Practice head Michael Woolley ‘provides clear advice and solutions’.

Within Planning and environment, tier 4

At Hill Dickinson LLP, planning lawyer John Holmes advised Lancashire CCC in relation to the Old Trafford sports ground redevelopment, including High Court and Court of Appeal litigation. Other clients include Liverpool Housing Trust and Sefton MBC.

Within Property litigation, Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Ralph Bullivant leads Hill Dickinson LLP’s team, which focuses on the utilities and retail sectors. It acted for KBC Bank Ireland in £5m property recovery litigation, and successfully represented Coffee Republic Retail in a contract dispute.

Within Social housing, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP recently acted for Riverside Group and Liverpool Housing on property acquisition matters. Practice head Peter Barlow provides ‘invaluable advice’.

Within Intellectual property, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Colin Gibbons and Harvey Stringfellow are recommended for litigation matters. Stringfellow acted for M Tech Data in defending a trade mark infringement case brought by Oracle.

Within IT and telecoms, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP’s team, led by Shelley Thomas, hired Mark Fitzgibbon from Cobbetts LLP, who is experienced in public sector procurement matters. Clients include NHS trusts and the Alder Hey Children’s Foundation. The firm also advised Thomson Reuters in a significant IT dispute.

Within Media and entertainment, Hill Dickinson LLP is a second tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP advises on a range of media issues. Richard Green is recommended.

Within Sport, Hill Dickinson LLP is a third tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP advises on a range of sports matters. Highlights included successfully representing Wayne Rooney in an action brought by Proactive, his former agents; and representing Andy Carroll. Club clients include Manchester City FC and Everton FC. Richard Green ‘knows the business of sport’ and is a ‘first-rate lawyer’, and Julian Diaz-Rianey is also recommended.

Within Transport , Hill Dickinson LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has a large and renowned transport team, with a depth of expertise across the rail, road, aviation and maritime sectors. Adrian Marsh is ‘technically very strong in marine cases’.