The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a third tier firm,

At Manches LLP, David Tighe leads a ten-strong corporate team that advised Williams F1 on its €250m listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and acted for Oxford University Press in its acquisition of MyMaths. On the commercial side, practice head Chris Shelley advised Imperial College spin-out Nexeon on various commercial agreements relating to the development of its silicon technology. Patrick Baddeley and Justin Starling are also recommended. Catherine Rohll no longer practises as a lawyer.

Within Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP’s client base includes Jimmy Choo and the Natural Environment Research Council. Recent team changes saw David Pritchard take over as department head from Julie Bond, and the promotion of Rachael Parman, who is ‘simply the best IP litigator in the marketplace’.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Blake Lapthorn has sector expertise in the healthcare, property, construction and leisure industries, and advises Clydesdale Bank, HSBC and The Co-operative Bank. Highlights included a range of transactions for institutional lenders, various instructions from non-institutional lenders, and legal and regulatory compliance advice. Kath Shimmin leads the department. Rich Eldridge recently left for Manches LLP.

Within Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP has a ‘good understanding of its clients’ needs, pressures and industry dynamics’. Daff Richardson is ‘very pragmatic and commercial in her outlook’; Eugene Wojciechowski delivers ‘a prompt service’; and senior associate Sally Nesbitt is ‘a practical adviser’. Clients include Blackwell UK, Travelodge Hotels and RUSH Hair.

Within Regional review, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Niche practices continue to grow across the region. In Oxford, former Manches LLP partners Steven Maier and Cathleen Blackburn formed IP and media firm Maier Blackburn; and in Faringdon, family law firm Selby Lowndes Solicitors LLP was launched by William Selby Lowndes and Jane Aizlewood, formerly of Darbys Solicitors LLP. In Woking, Karin Walker left TWM Solicitors LLP to start KGW Family Law; and in Brighton, former asb law LLP partner Philip Warford set up niche private client practice Renaissance Legal. Oxford-based Emmerson Law was established by commercial litigation specialist Simon Emmerson following his departure from Manches LLP in 2010.

Within Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

‘One of the leading family departments in the country’, Manches LLP handles a steady diet of Children Act claims, child abduction cases and divorce proceedings, many of which involve multi-jurisdictional aspects. The three-partner team is led by Jane Mitchell, who is ‘the pre-eminent family lawyer in the region’. Kerry Fretwell is also ‘first rate’, and Ruth James ‘fully warrants her recent elevation to partnership’. Alexandra Lewis left to establish Alexandra Lewis Divorce & Family Mediation.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP’s team includes Oxford-based department head Anna Burnside, and assistant Penny Wright, who joined from Thomas Eggar LLP and leads the Reading-based private client offering. Tom Gilman left for Withy King LLP.

Within Project finance and PFI, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP has a growing profile in the energy sector, particularly in the area of UK onshore renewables. Practice head Giles Clifford has broad experience in a large number of PPP and PFI projects, and has acted for London Underground for over ten years. Recent work includes assisting Adgen Energy in relation to a portfolio of anaerobic digestion plants in England, and advising on the Liverpool Street Crossrail development.

Within Education, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP’s cross-practice team counts several University of Oxford colleges among its clients. Recent work includes representing students on external academic appeals and disciplinary matters. Group head Daff Richardson has a ‘calm and reassuring approach’.

Within Health Health

Within Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP continues to attract high-profile mandates despite the departure of Elizabeth Hussain (to Boyes Turner) and John Castell. The firm was selected to advise on the development of the new Liverpool Street Crossrail station, and is handling the real estate aspects of Oxford University’s acquisition of the Institute of Rheumatology from Imperial College. Richard Smith leads the ‘excellent’ department.

Within Environment, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP handles complex regulatory, liability and litigation work for a host of large energy clients, including EDF and Adgen Energy. It also advises Susenco on its real estate acquisitions.

Within Property litigation Property litigation

Within Social housing, Manches LLP is a third tier firm,

Manches LLP’s ‘pragmatic and industry-aware’ team advises on acquisitions, disposals and stock transfers for Sovereign Housing Association, One Housing and new client Catalyst Housing. Charlotte D’Avola became head of the department following the move of Elizabeth Hussain to Boyes Turner in January 2012.

Within Intellectual property, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP is highlighted for its ‘very good knowledge’, with Chris Shelley leading a team that specialises in the life sciences sector and acts for Oxford Gene Technology and Oxford University spin-out Sibelius. Rachael Parman was promoted to partner, while Steven Maier and Cathleen Blackburn left to form Maier Blackburn in 2012, and Catherine Rohll also left the firm.

Within IT and telecoms, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP benefited from the arrival of Sam De Silva from Taylor Walton LLP, who is ‘extremely good at explaining complex points to non-legal employees and strong at fighting his corner in negotiations’. Clients of the ‘highly knowledgeable’ team include Fujifilm UK and International Financial Data Services. David Tighe and Chris Shelley are also recommended.

Within Media and entertainment, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP recently represented Oxford University Press in its acquisition of online teaching business MyMaths. Chris Shelley has a particular focus on publishing activities and leads the Thames Valley team, which saw the departure in 2012 of Steven Maier and Cathleen Blackburn to set up their own practice.