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- Work 0161 662 8000
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- Fax 0161 662 8001
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North West: Corporate and commercial
Corporate and commercial: Manchester
Corporate and commercial: Manchester - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is adept at representing large corporates on strategic M&A and equity capital markets deals, as well as focusing on private equity, where it works with many buyout houses and management teams . On the commercial side the firm advises on supply chain management, franchising, advertising, agency, distribution, outsourcing, logistics, managed services, licensing, data protection and compliance. Key client sectors include manufacturing, technology and energy. Gregg Davison and Samantha Livesey head the team, with support from Helen Ridge, Kieran Toal and Amie Norris who was recently promoted to partner. Senior associate Alasdair Weir is also recommended.
Practice head(s):Gregg Davison; Samantha Livesey
Other key lawyers:Victoria Jew; Sam Hall; Helen Ridge; Kieran Toal; Amie Norris; Alasdair Weir
Key Clients
AMEC Foster Wheeler Plc
Livingbridge Equity No Partners LLP
LDC
Equistone Partners No Europe Limited
ECI Partners
UDG Healthcare plc
Sovereign Capital Partners
Linnaeus group
Co-operative Group
Aventas Manufacturing
Vaultex UK Limited
UK Sport
Innovative Vector Control Consortium
The Jockey Club
Work highlights
- Advised AJ Bell plc on its £650m main market flotation.
- Sole adviser to Equistone Partners Europe and the management team on the £380m private equity sale and secondary management buyout of Travel Counsellors to Vitruvian Partners.
- Advised the shareholders of Linnaeus on its sale to Mars, having acted for Sovereign Capital on the initial investment and advising the company on all of its bolt on acquisition.
- Advised the Co-op Group on its successful purchase of Nisa Retail for £143m.
- Advised the Innovative Vector Control Consortium on international projects for the delivery of products for the reduction of vector borne diseases.
Leading individuals

Gregg Davison - Pinsent Masons LLP

Helen Ridge - Pinsent Masons LLP
Kieran Toal - Pinsent Masons LLP
Next Generation Partners
Amie Norris - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Alasdair Weir - Pinsent Masons LLP
Corporate tax
Corporate tax - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP advises on general tax issues, disputes and interventions, share plans and incentives, M&A-related tax, compliance, criminal tax offences and cross-border tax issues. Clients include major corporates, high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Lynette Jacobs heads the team from Manchester with support from Steven Porter who advises on both contentious and non-contentious tax matters, specialising in tax investigations. The team also works with Pinsents' network of offices across the UK.
Practice head(s):Lynette Jacobs
Other key lawyers:Steve Porter
Key Clients
Imperial Brands plc
Halfords Group plc
Rightmove plc
River and Mercantile Group plc
AMC Theatres
Portmeirion Group plc
Carr’s Group plc
Begbies Traynor Group plc
Norcros plc
Janus Henderson Investors
E.ON
Work highlights
- Advised Manchester based AJ Bell, one of the largest UK investment platform providers, on its IPO to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
- Advised on the drafting and implementation of an Irish tax-advantaged all-employee SharesaveScheme to enable Merlyn’s employees to participate in Sharesave in the same way as Norcros’s UK employees.
- Advised Begbies Traynor on the adoption of its new tax-advantaged all employee Sharesave Plan
- Advised AMC Theatres on the operation of its Equity Incentive Plan in the UK and across Italy, Spain, Germany, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Leading individuals

Lynette Jacobs - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Steven Porter - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Dispute resolution
Commercial litigation: Manchester
Commercial litigation: Manchester - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's practice advises an impressive roster of clients on high-value disputes, with the Manchester team leading on major international matters backed up by the firm's 24 offices around the world. The northwest practice is notable in that it offers a 'search and seizure' practice, which has attracted a number of referrals from leading law firms. ‘Fantastic team leader and a stand-out litigator’ Julian Diaz-Rainey heads the team; he advises on commercial disputes, company disputes and trust litigation, while senior associates Andrew Mitchell and Jo Seed are also well-regarded.
Practice head(s):Julian Diaz-Rainey
Other key lawyers:Andrew Mitchell; Jo Seed; Steven Porter;
Testimonials
‘The Pinsent Masons litigation team is superb’.
‘Julian Diaz-Rainey is wonderful to work with, a great strategist and handles clients superbly well’.
Key Clients
Travel CounsellorsLimited
London School of Economics and Political Science
NoMauser UK Limited
CVS (Commercial Valuers& Surveyors) Limited
NoHCMT Limited / AnthonyHanson
United Drug (UK) Holdings Limited
Manchester City Football Club
Jockey Club Racecourses Limited
Work highlights
- Helping our clients defend a guarantee claim in an amount of around £6m brought by the Irish National Asset Management agency.
- The team are acting for United Drug (UK) Holdings Ltd ("UDH"), the Defendant in a claim for misrepresentation (and negligent advice) arising out of the purchase of a pharmaceutical events company.
- Instructed to act on City Football Group's application for an injunction against a group of prominent and infamous parkour enthusiasts who had, without permission, climbed on the roof of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
- The firm obtained an anti-trespass injunction barring ticket touts from selling tickets on Cheltenham Racecourse premises.
- We are leading a series of ground breaking Judicial Review challenges brought by taxpayers against HMRC's decision to issue them with payment notices as a result of their prior involvement in tax avoidance schemes (the Treasury claim that these new powers will bring in £5.5bn of tax).
Leading individuals

Julian Diaz-Rainey - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Andrew Mitchell - Pinsent Masons LLP
Jo Seed - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Finance
Banking and finance
Banking and finance - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is active across real estate finance, corporate lending, acquisition finance, public sector lending, debt capital markets, asset based lending and education finance mandates. The team acts for a raft of major banks, public sector bodies, sponsors and borrowers on complex domestic and international transactions. Team head Matthew Morgan acts for lenders and borrowers on real estate finance, corporate finance and acquisition finance mandates, while Samantha Rollason is experienced in advising on the restructuring of UK and international real estate transactions and UK and overseas real estate funds, and Tim Fearn specialises in corporate finance, acquisition finance and asset based lending. Senior associate Sarah Jay and legal director Pippa Whitmore are also noted.
Practice head(s):Matthew Morgan
Other key lawyers:Samantha Rollason; Tim Fearn; Sarah Jay; Pippa Whitmore
Testimonials
Matthew Morgan is an exceptional lawyer, and he has vast experience and is very visible in the market
The team is adept at handling complex transactions
Tim Fearn is experienced across corporate finance, acquisition finance and asset based lending work
Samantha Rollason is brilliant
Sarah Jay is a star of the future
Key Clients
HSBC Bank
RBS
Select Property Group
Permira Debt Capital
Tyman plc
PJ Livesey Group
N M Rothschild & Sons
European Metal Recycling
Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank
Quint Group
Work highlights
- Acted for Tyman plc on its £240m refinancing.
- Advised Select Property Group on the £180m refinancing of three student accommodation schemes.
- Advised a group of lenders on a £325m facility forPZ Cussons.
- Advised agroup of lenders on the £150m refinancing of Johnson Service Group.
- Acted for Permira Debt Capital on the refinancing of an acquisition facility.
Leading individuals

Matthew Morgan - Pinsent Masons LLP

Samantha Rollason - Pinsent Masons LLP
Next Generation Partners
Tim Fearn - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Sarah Jay - Pinsent Masons LLP
Insolvency and corporate recovery
Insolvency and corporate recovery - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is adept at handling complex regional and national restructuring and administrations, and its client-base spans a range of banks, asset based lenders, major corporates, directors, private equity houses, distressed investors, pension trustees and public sector bodies. The pensions and charity sectors are key areas of focus for the experienced Manchester-based team which is headed by James Cameron.
Practice head(s):James Cameron
Other key lawyers:Daniella Thompson; Samantha Latham
Testimonials
James Cameron is a first-rate operator and has good commercial awareness
Key Clients
FRP Advisory
Deloitte LLP
EY LLP
PwC LLP
Hilco Capital
SEA Equity
Duff & Phelps
Mazars
BDO
Work highlights
- Advised Hilco Capital on the pensions aspects of the acquisition of hardware and homeware retailer Homebase by its vehicle ARK UK Holdings.
- Advised Duff & Phelps on the administration of Manchester House restaurant.
- Advised FRP Advisory on the administration of Speciality Coatings (Darwen).
- Advised PwC on the administration of Prestige Hotel Reservations.
- Advised Hilco Retail on its appointment as retail agent for PwC, the administrators of Maplin Electronics.
Leading individuals
James Cameron - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Human resources
Employment
Employment - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's employment team - which is led by Neil Black, who is known for his work for food and drink clients - has expertise in large-scale reorganisations and restructurings, minimum wage enforcement and matters relating to the gender pay gap, industrial relations, TUPE and outsourcing. The team serves local, national and international clients including large bluechip corporates.
Practice head(s):Neil Black
Other key lawyers:Lynette Jacobs; Rob Childe; Leanne Francis;
Testimonials
'A knowledgeable team, with good practical advice.'
'Commercial and pragmatic - the firm understands our business and culture.'
Key Clients
Wincanton plc
Mondelez International (Cadbury / Kraft)
Weetabix
Arrive
Costain plc
Morgan Sindall plc
Mercer
Barratt Developments plc
N Brown plc
Witherslack Group
Work highlights
- Successfully represented SIG plc in the Court of Appeal in an important reported case.
- Supporting a major UK retailer in respect of a HMRC audit into National Minimum Wage compliance.
- Successful defence of UK Sport in a claim involving discrimination and whistleblowing made against UK Sport and British Cycling.
- Providing advice to Checkatrade in respect of the relocation of their HQ to a new dedicated site.
- Supporting English Institute of Sport on a high-profile Employment Tribunal claim linked to allegations of over-training.
Health and safety
Health and safety - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Kevin Bridges leads the health and safety team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which acts for major players in high hazard industries including construction, waste, manufacturing and energy. Bridges, who is also qualified as a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner and member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, has wide-ranging experience, while senior associate Zoe Betts has a particular focus on the waste sector. Associate Emma Evans handles, among other things, manslaughter investigations, inquests and challenges to enforcement notices.
Practice head(s):Kevin Bridges
Testimonials
'Zoe Betts is a very dedicated lawyer and has a keen eye for detail'.
'Kevin Bridges provides high quality expert advice immediately'.
'Zoe Betts is approachable, confident, clear in terms of advice, bold and very trustworthy'.
Key Clients
Kier Group plc
Crest Nicholson Operations Limited
Into Properties
Morgan Sindall Group plc
Pennon Group plc (Viridor and South West Water)
Future Industrial Services Limited
Bouygues Group
Muller
FedEx / TNT
Work highlights
- Represented Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure following a hand amputation incident which gave rise to a prosecution for a guarding offence.
- Represented national waste contractor Viridor Waste Management Limited in two-week trial arising out of a rollaway skip lorry fatality and a sentencing hearing following a fatal incident involving entrapment in a large waste sorting machine.
Leading individuals

Kevin Bridges - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Emma Evans - Pinsent Masons LLP
Zoe Betts - Pinsent Masons LLP
Pensions
Pensions - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's pension department advises in relation to some of the largest pension schemes in the country with significant experience of scheme restructuring, funding and security projects. The team also has substantial capability in pensions litigation, helping clients with investigations by The Pensions Regulator or the Pensions Ombudsman. The team's client base includes financial institutions and pension providers, as well as pension schemes and their employers. Stephen Scholefield leads the department; litigator Hayley Goldstone was promoted to partner in May 2018 and senior associate Robert Tellwright is also recommended.
Practice head(s):Stephen Scholefield
Other key lawyers:Pippa Read; Howard Ridley; Hayley Goldstone; Robert Tellwright; Peter White
Testimonials
'The pensions team at Pinsent Masons has a strong London and regional presence and the extensive network of pensions lawyers allows the team to service clients in a prompt and cost effective manner. The size of the team and collaborative working patterns means that they can tap into specialist advice from their tax, insurance, employment and data protection teams, amongst others.'
'Stephen Scholefield is always pragmatic and understands our business and any constraints within which we are working.'
'Personable, friendly, accessible. Technically hugely competent but wrapped in a very friendly package which was just right for the circumstances.'
'Stephen Scholefield is pragmatic, organised, experienced, knows his clients well and is good to work with.'
Key Clients
Balfour Beatty Pension Fund
Royal Ordnance Pension Schemes
Rentokil Initial plc
Unite the Union Pension Scheme
Newell Rubbermaid UK Pension Scheme
Mercer Limited and Mercer (Ireland) Limited
Baxi Group Pension Schemes
Babcock International Group Pension Scheme
Eurotunnel Pension Schemes
Laird Pension Scheme
Makro Staff Pension Scheme
Work highlights
- Advise the trustee of the Balfour Beatty Pension Fund on a wide range of issues, including an asset backed funding and security arrangement, member communications, member queries, investment matters and procedures to simplify and improve the governance of the day to day operation of the fund.
- Providing a full legal service to the trustees of the two Royal Ordnance pension schemes, which relate to BAE Systems.
- Advised Rentokil Initial on the buy-out of its pension scheme with Pension Insurance Corporation, one of the largest pension buy-out transactions of 2018.
- Advising Unite the Union Pension Scheme on the use of contingent property assets, member communications, scheme mergers, a flexible apportionment arrangement, as well as routine compliance issues.
- Advised the independent trustee of the BWI Retirement Benefits Scheme in securing benefits with Scottish Widows in a 'PPF plus' buy-out transaction.
Leading individuals

Stephen Scholefield - Pinsent Masons LLP
Next Generation Partners
Hayley Goldstone - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Robert Tellwright - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Projects, energy and natural resources
Energy
Energy - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP handles a raft of national and international projects in the energy sector and acts for large energy organisations, public sector clients, owners, developers, operators, funders and utilities clients. The nuclear, thermal power, oil and gas, biomass, solar and wind, waste management and mining sectors are key areas of focus for the team. Graham Alty heads the transactional construction team in Manchester and Mark Job leads the transactional construction and engineering team in the UK. Legal directors Ian Fairclough, who is experienced in nuclear, conventional energy and renewables projects, and Sian Hughes, who handles disputes, are also noted.
Practice head(s):Mark Job; Graham Alty
Other key lawyers:Anthony Bradley; Katherine Sneddon; Ian Fairclough; Sian Hughes; Simon Stubbs
Testimonials
Sian Hughes is able to identify key strengths and weaknesses with a strong commercial sense
They are not only very bright lawyers, they are also very commercially astute, outstandingly good at handling clients and at managing cases, and are very easy to work with
They team is keenly attuned to the commercial objectives of the client and is highly skilled at devising the strategies by which such objectives might be achieved
Anthony Bradley is an outstanding lawyer who commands the absolute confidence of his clients, and is hugely conscientious and hardworking
Key Clients
Sellafield
Johnson Matthey
United Utilities
Yapı Merkezi İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş.
Balfour Beatty
Laing O'Rourke
Centrica
Work highlights
- The team advises Sellafield on more than £15bn of capital projects at its nuclear decommissioning site in Cumbria.
Leading individuals

Graham Alty - Pinsent Masons LLP

Mark Job - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Ian Fairclough - Pinsent Masons LLP
Sian Hughes - Pinsent Masons LLP
Project finance and PFI
Project finance and PFI - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP handles a range of national and international development, construction and infrastructure projects and is particularly noted for its experience in energy, waste, transport, health, education and real estate projects. The team is adept at handling joint ventures, PPP and PFI work across a range of sectors. Graham Alty heads the firm's nuclear practice and Scot Morrison is noted for transactional work.
Other key lawyers:Graham Alty; Scot Morrison; Nick Ogden; Ian Fairclough; Steven Ovenden
Leading individuals

Scot Morrison - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Public sector
Education
Education - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
The 'brilliant' team at Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly involved in a range of planning, environmental, projects, construction, finance and employment mandates for higher education clients. Development, planning and environmental specialist Michael Pocock advises on large and complex development projects for clients in the university and higher education sector and legal director Pippa Whitmore leads the firm's education finance bank lending practice and focuses on lending to education institutions.
Practice head(s):Michael Pocock
Other key lawyers:Pippa Whitmore; Rob Childe
Key Clients
University of Sheffield
London Legacy Development Corporation
University of Huddersfield
Bricks Capital
University of Exeter
University of Gloucester
University of Sussex
University of Lincoln
Work highlights
- Provided strategic planning advice to the University of Sheffield in relation to the continued expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
- Advised Bricks Capital on the acquisition of three student housing development sites in Swansea and Norwich, together with the refinancing of its student housing development portfolio.
- Advised London Legacy Development on redevelopment opportunities, including a new education district.
- Advised Wates Construction on various Priority Schools Building Programme schemes.
- Advised the University of Hertfordshire on a ten day employment tribunal claim for race, maternity and sex discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Leading individuals

Michael Pocock - Pinsent Masons LLP
Local government
Local government - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP in Manchester is best known for its ability to advise on a range of issues for local government clients including cutting-edge developments in PPP policy in regeneration and social housing, alternative service models, alternative investment models and infrastructure funds in the region and beyond. The team also offers planning advice and is regularly engaged on housing, development and regeneration schemes. Team head Scot Morrison has a 'wealth of experience' and is noted for his experience in joint venture structuring; he is ably supported by Helen Robinson on public-private partnership transactions.
Practice head(s):Scot Morrison
Other key lawyers:Helen Robinson; Michael Pocock; Victoria Scanlon; Liz Nuttall
Key Clients
Manchester City Council
Wandsworth Borough Council
London Borough of Haringey
Homes England
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council
London Borough of Croydon
Work highlights
- The team continues to advise Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway Project.
- Advised London Legacy Development Corporation in relation to a number of residential developments across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and wider area.
- Advised Folkestone and Hythe District Council in relation to Otterpool Park – a new Garden Town.
- Advised London Borough of Wandsworth on the procurement of a private sector development partner for the delivery of a 13 hectare estate renewal project, for the Winstanley and York Road Estates.
- Advised Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund in relation to the delivery of its second Housing Investment Fund.
Leading individuals

Scot Morrison - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: Real estate
Commercial property: Manchester
Commercial property: Manchester - ranked: tier 3
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP handles a raft of complex, high-profile development and regeneration projects including investment work, and regularly acts for international investors. The firm also advises on public and private sector developments and joint venture projects, and advises on residential development projects. The hotels, leisure, logistics, energy and infrastructure sectors are key areas of focus, and the team also handles real estate finance mandates. Team head Jonathan Brocklehurst specialises in tax efficient funding structures and is experienced in complex promotion agreements, site assembly and regeneration projects. Helen Robinson, legal director Matthew Rowlands and senior associate David Herbert are also noted.
Practice head(s):Jonathan Brocklehurst
Other key lawyers:Phillip Birchall; Helen Robinson; Jane Morden; Matthew Rowlands; Ann-Marie Salmacis; Sarah Thomas; David Herbert
Testimonials
'The team is able to handle highly-complex transactions and will get to grips with large volumes of information in a short period.'
'Matthew Rowlands is down-to-earth and very approachable; he doesn't just take a textbook legal approach to issues, he will suggest a suitable commercial approach to a matter where required in order to facilitate a transaction.'
'The scope of services and integration of the commercial teams means the firm provides a one-stop shop for commercial property.'
Key Clients
St Modwen Developments
Manchester City Council
Bricks Capital
United Utilities
HIMOR Group
Morgan Sindall Investments/Lovell Partnerships
Balfour Beatty
Homes England
Keepmoat
Harworth Estates
Lancaster City Council
BVK Hines
Yorkshire Ventures
Work highlights
- Advised St Modwen Developments on the £53m sale of a portfolio of more than 30 industrial estates.
- Advised Bricks Capital on the acquisition of a long leasehold interest, and provided ongoing advice on the development on the site, of a 197 room Hilton Garden Hotel.
- Acted for Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway project.
- Advised Morgan Sindall Investments on a public-private sector partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to deliver 6,000 homes over 15 years.
- Advised Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council and Hampshire County Council on the joint procurement of a private sector partner to deliver a major regeneration scheme.
Leading individuals

Jonathan Brocklehurst - Pinsent Masons LLP
Next Generation Partners
Helen Robinson - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
David Herbert - Pinsent Masons LLP
Matthew Rowlands - Pinsent Masons LLP
Construction
Construction - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is active across a raft of complex transactional and contentious construction mandates in the UK and internationally. It is active across real estate development and regeneration work and it operates across the nuclear, conventional power, offshore wind, energy from waste, rail, roads, education and health sectors. Graham Alty heads the transactional construction and projects team and Michael Hopkins leads on construction advisory and disputes work. Anthony Bradley specialises in major construction and infrastructure projects, Mark Job heads the national transactional team and Katherine Sneddon handles contentious construction work. Legal directors Siân Hughes, who is 'first-rate', and Ian Fairclough are also noted, as is senior associate Arwyn Jones.
Practice head(s):Graham Alty; Michael Hopkins
Other key lawyers:Anthony Bradley; Mark Job; Katherine Sneddon; Ian Fairclough; Siân Hughes; Nick Kippax; Jo Falencka; Andrew Batty; Simon Stubbs; Arwyn Jones; Jennifer Cook.
Key Clients
Sellafield
Ministry of Justice
Yapı Merkezi İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş
Wates Construction
Himor (Carrington)
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
Seddon Construction
Lendlease Construction (Europe)
Johnson Matthey
SK Engineering & Construction Co.
Work highlights
- Advising Sellafield on more than £15bn of capital projects at its nuclear decommissioning site in Cumbria.
- Advising the Ministry of Justice on a number of interlinking work streams, forming part of its overall prisons strategy totalling £5.3bn.
- Advising Yapı Merkezi İnşaat ve Sanayi as EPC contractor on a $1.7bn railway project in Ethiopia.
- Advising Yapı Merkezi İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. as EPC contractor on two rail projects in Tanzania with a value of more than $3bn.
- Advising Himor (Carrington) on the construction of the Carrington Village project, which includes the development of approximately 450 acres of former industrial land and 1,200 acres of agricultural land.
Leading individuals

Anthony Bradley - Pinsent Masons LLP

Graham Alty - Pinsent Masons LLP

Mark Job - Pinsent Masons LLP

Michael Hopkins - Pinsent Masons LLP
Next Generation Partners
Katherine Sneddon - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Arwyn Jones - Pinsent Masons LLP
Ian Fairclough - Pinsent Masons LLP
Siân Hughes - Pinsent Masons LLP
Planning and environment
Planning and environment - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
At Pinsent Masons LLP the planning team, which is led by Mike Pocock, acts for developers, public sector clients and landowners, as well as construction, energy and water companies. It is engaged on infrastructure and development projects and is experienced in education sector work. Compulsory purchase orders and development consent orders are also a key area of expertise and it handles contentious planning cases. Associate Elizabeth Nuttall is experienced in development planning mandates and senior associate Melanie Grimshaw is 'excellent'. Legal director Claire Gregory heads the environmental team which handles contentious and non-contentious work for clients across the water, energy, waste, chemicals, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Practice head(s):Mike Pocock (planning); Claire Gregory (environment)
Other key lawyers:Melanie Grimshaw; Elizabeth Nuttall
Testimonials
'The environment team is particularly strong technically and it offers pragmatic, user-friendly legal advice.'
'Claire Gregory provides excellent specialist legal advice in a user-friendly way and is very reliable and approachable.'
'The team is unerringly friendly, down to earth and hugely competent.'
'Mike Pocock is a pleasure to deal with, his friendly and approachable manner is greatly appreciated.'
'Mike Pocock is excellent with clients and is astute and approachable.'
'Matthew Baker is excellent with clients.'
'Beth Grant is diligent, well prepared and hardworking.'
Key Clients
United Utilities
Northern Trust Company
HIMOR
University of Sheffield
Land and Lakes
Befesa Salt Slags
Stockport Council
The Casey Group
Sellafield
Yorkshire Water
Miller Homes
Kier Construction
Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure
Tata Steel
St Modwen
Work highlights
- Advised United Utilities Water on a strategically significant compulsory purchase order pursuant to the Water Industry Act.
- Advised Land and Lakes on its plans for a temporary worker accommodation campus for the Wylfa nuclear power station, which will then deliver legacy benefits in the form of a holiday leisure village and affordable housing.
- Provided strategic planning advice to HIMOR in relation to Carrington Village, one of the largest regeneration sites in the country.
- Advised Albion Land on successfully obtaining planning permission, on appeal, for a new employment site in North West Bicester and then defended a judicial review challenge.
- Advised Harworth Estates Group in seeking to obtain planning permission for a waste transfer station.
Leading individuals
Mike Pocock - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Claire Gregory - Pinsent Masons LLP
Elizabeth Nuttall - Pinsent Masons LLP

Melanie Grimshaw - Pinsent Masons LLP
Property litigation
Property litigation - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP is instructed by investors, developers and occupiers on a range of landlord and tenant disputes and development issues. Its sector expertise is wide, and it spans the financial services, agriculture, housing and development, utilities, infrastructure, leisure, energy, retail and education sectors. The team has specialist knowledge of rights to light, electronic communications, tresspass, professional negligence, judicial review and vacant possession cases. Michael Smith has transferred from Leeds to Manchester to lead the local property disputes team. Senior associate Stuart McCann is experienced in the application of non-domestic business rates and agricultural law. Associate Patricia Mellody is also a key figure.
Practice head(s):Michael Smith
Other key lawyers:Stuart McCann; Patricia Mellody; Matthew Baker
Testimonials
'Michael Smith is always available to advise and comment on strategic matters. He is an excellent litigator and provides clear and concise advice and guidance on all matters. Clients wouldn't hesitate to recommend him'.
Key Clients
Balfour Beatty Group
The University of Manchester
Aviva Group
JD Williams & Company
St Modwen Properties Group
Homes England
Makro
Preston North End Football Club
Harworth Group
Asda Stores
Aldi Stores
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Morgan Sindall Group
United Utilities
Work highlights
- Represented Leeds City Council on obtaining vacant possession of various agricultural interests in order to enable the development of a new East Leeds Orbital Road.
- Advised Preston North End Football Club on various rights being asserted against it by neighbours in relation to the club's development of a golf course to build a training ground for the club as well as a local housing development of 440 homes.
- Assisted Makro Self Service Wholesalers in recovering possession of a wholesale warehouse in the North Acton area of London which had been occupied by HS2 protestors.
- Advising Sunderland City Council in relation to recovering possession of land subject to agricultural tenancies in order to allow for the development of a 150 hectare, nationally significant, International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).
- Advising Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council on the redevelopment of the Merseyway Shopping Centre
Next Generation Partners

Michael Smith - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars

Stuart McCann - Pinsent Masons LLP
Social housing
Social housing - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP acts for a range of housing sector clients such as landowners, registered providers, residential developers, local authorities, funders, grant givers and contractors. The team is adept at handling public-private housing partnerships and is experienced in structuring public sector joint venture vehicles. It is regularly instructed on complex housing and regeneration schemes, where team head Helen Robinson is active, and the team also boasts strong planning expertise for projects in the sector.
Practice head(s):Helen Robinson
Other key lawyers:Scot Morrison; Mike Pocock; Melanie Grimshaw; Sarah Thomas
Key Clients
Homes England
HIMOR (Carrington)
Manchester City Council
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
Morgan Sindall Investments
London Legacy Development Corporation
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Keepmoat Homes
Crawley Borough Council
Rowlinson Construction
Work highlights
- The team continues to advise HIMOR on the redevelopment of the former Shell refinery at Carrington.
- The team acted for Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway project, which included securing an investment partner for one of the largest urban regeneration opportunities in the UK.
- Advised Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on the delivery of its second Housing Investment Fund.
- The team is advising two local authorities jointly procuring a private sector partner to deliver a major regeneration and housing scheme.
- Advised Morgan Sindall Investments on a public-private sector partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to deliver 6,000 homes over 15 years.
Next Generation Partners
Helen Robinson - Pinsent Masons LLP
North West: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
IT and telecoms
IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP's ‘highly proactive and efficient’ team advises top clients on a range of matters relating to IT procurements, outsourcing, cloud computing and online trading. Other areas of expertise GDPR, breach notification and remediation work, which the firm is seeing an increasing amount of instructions for. Clients include both public and private businesses in the tech and retail spaces. Samantha Livesey co-heads the team and focuses on IT, digital and IP matters. Claire Edwards also co-heads the team and specialises in major IT, technology and data protection matters.
Practice head(s):Samantha Livesey; Claire Edwards
Other key lawyers:Rif Kapadi; Sam Hall; Rachel Forbes; Chris Benn
Testimonials
‘Highly proactive and efficient’.
‘Claire Edwards is responsive and highly engaged’.
Key Clients
Exerp ApS
Celtic Football Club
Bonmarché Holdings Plc
The Jockey Club
Hanson Group
DCC plc
Allstate Insurance
Liberty IT
Silentnight
Work highlights
- Acting for Allstate Northern Ireland on its technology services procurements.
- Advised APG Cash Drawer UK Limited on the development of a partner agreement for the sales, support and maintenance of its new smart till product.
- Advising The English Football League on their CRM agreement with Goodform for the delivery of website, e-marketing and mailshot content to The Football League and the clubs it represents.
- Advised the procurement team of new client Sage Global Services on numerous international technology procurement matters.
Leading individuals

Samantha Livesey - Pinsent Masons LLP
Intellectual property
Intellectual property - ranked: tier 2
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP has a particular focus on the life sciences, TMT and retail sectors for soft IP. Other client sectors include construction, IT, financial services, media and entertainment and consumer. Areas of expertise include brand reputation and development, portfolio management, patent procurement strategies, design right protection, unfair competition, breach of confidence actions, patent litigation and GDPR. Samantha Livesey heads the team and focuses on IP, IT, digital and data matters.
Practice head(s):Samantha Livesey
Other key lawyers:Nadia Zegze; Sam Hall
Key Clients
The Jockey Racecourses Limited
Innovative Vector Control Consortium
Lily's Kitchen
Bandai Namco
Silentnight
Headlam Group PLC
University of Manchester Innovation Group
F2G Limited
Consumer Credit Solutions
Total Composite Solutions
Work highlights
- Acted for Jockey Club Racecourses on its commercial rights and sponsorship contracts.
- Advised the Innovative Vector Control Consortium on international projects for the delivery of products for the reduction of vector borne diseases.
- Advising Lily's Kitchen on its IP and commercial contract matters.
- Advising Bandai Namco on its licensing arrangement with Microsoft for the use of the Halo brand within amusement arcade games.
- Advised Silentnight on numerous international licences and IP matters over the past 12 months.
Leading individuals

Samantha Livesey - Pinsent Masons LLP
Sport
Sport - ranked: tier 1
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP advises both national and international sports clients on a broad range of matters, covering investment, disputes, construction, planning and technology. Clients include governing bodies, sponsors, venues, teams, major events, funders, broadcasters and high-net-worth individuals. Julian Diaz-Rainey heads the team and focuses on dispute resolution, commercial and regulatory matters. Senior associate Andrew Mitchell specialises in contentious sports matters. Jo Seed is also recommended.
Practice head(s):Julian Diaz-Rainey
Other key lawyers:Andrew Mitchell; Jo Seed; Samantha Livesey; Alexander Richardson
Key Clients
Manchester City Football Club/City Football Group Limited
The Jockey Club / Jockey Club Racecourses (including Aintree and Haydock Park in the North- West Region)
The International Association of Athletics Federations
The English Football League
Leeds United Football Club (and parent company ASER)
Sport England
UK Sport
Rugby Football League
Everton Football Club
Club Regatas Vasco De Gama FC
Work highlights
- Obtained an anti-trespass injunction for The Jockey Club barring ticket touts from selling tickets on Cheltenham Racecourse premises.
- Advising Manchester City Football Club on issues arising out of an inquiry into any connections the club may have had with convicted child sex offender Barry Bennell.
- Acted for The English Football League in high-profile regulatory charges brought against Watford Football Club and one of its former directors and former chairman Raffaele Riva.
- Obtained a permanent, anti-trespass injunction barring trespassers from entering any of City Football Group's properties worldwide.
- Acting for Championship Racing in implementing the commercial contracts required to set-up and run the new series.
Leading individuals

Julian Diaz-Rainey - Pinsent Masons LLP
Rising stars
Andrew Mitchell - Pinsent Masons LLP
Jo Seed - Pinsent Masons LLP
Further information on Pinsent Masons LLP
Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Pinsent Masons LLP in other jurisdictions.
United Arab Emirates
Offices in Dubai
- Banking and finance
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Construction
- Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation
- Employment
- Energy and infrastructure
- Islamic finance
- Real estate
Australia
Offices in Sydney
China
Offices in Shanghai and Beijing
Germany
Offices in Munich, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt am Main
- Capital markets : Equity capital markets
- Dispute resolution : Arbitration (including international arbitration)
- Information technology : Data protection
- Information technology : Information technology (including contracts)
Spain
France
Offices in Paris
- Dispute resolution : Dispute resolution: commercial litigation
- Dispute resolution: International arbitration
- Industry focus : Industry focus: energy
- Industry focus : Industry focus: IT, telecoms and the internet
- Intellectual property : Intellectual property: copyright
- Intellectual property : Intellectual property: Patents
- Intellectual property : Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs
- Project finance
- Tax
Hong Kong
Offices in Hong Kong
Iran
Ireland
Offices in Dublin
London
Offices in London EC2A, London EC1Y, and London EC4M
- Corporate and commercial : Commercial contracts
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate tax
- Corporate and commercial : Equity capital markets – small-mid cap
- Corporate and commercial : EU and competition
- Corporate and commercial : Financial services: contentious
- Corporate and commercial : Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
- Corporate and commercial : M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m
- Corporate and commercial : Private equity: transactions – mid-tier – up to £250m
- Corporate and commercial : VAT and indirect tax
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Fraud: civil
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Gaming and betting
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Licensing
- Dispute resolution : Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation
- Dispute resolution : Competition litigation
- Dispute resolution : International arbitration
- Dispute resolution : Tax litigation and investigations
- Finance : Acquisition finance
- Finance : Asset based lending
- Finance : Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Finance : Corporate restructuring & insolvency
- Finance : Debt capital markets
- Finance : Structured products and securitisation
- Human resources : Employee share schemes
- Human resources : Employment: employers
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Human resources : Pensions (non-contentious)
- Human resources : Pensions: dispute resolution
- Insurance : Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- Insurance : Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- Insurance : Insurance: insolvency and restructuring
- Insurance : Product liability: defendant
- Insurance : Professional negligence
- Private client : Art and cultural property
- Private client : Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client : Family
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Infrastructure (including PFI and PPP)
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Mining and minerals
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Oil and gas
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Water
- Public sector : Education: institutions
- Public sector : Healthcare
- Public sector : Infrastructure (parliamentary)
- Public sector : Local government
- Real estate : Commercial property: development
- Real estate : Commercial property: hotels and leisure
- Real estate : Commercial property: investment
- Real estate : Construction: contentious
- Real estate : Contruction: non-contentious
- Real estate : Environment
- Real estate : Planning
- Real estate : Property finance
- Real estate : Property litigation
- Real estate : Social housing: finance
- Real estate : Social housing: local authorities and registered providers
- Risk advisory : Brexit
- Risk advisory : Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
- Risk advisory : Regulatory investigations and corporate crime
- Risk advisory : Reputation management
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Fintech
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Sport
Northern Ireland
Offices in Belfast
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Human resources : Employment
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Energy
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Project finance and PFI
- Real estate : Commercial property
- Real estate : Construction
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
North West
Offices in Manchester M3 and Manchester M3
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Manchester
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate tax
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation: Manchester
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Finance : Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Human resources : Employment
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Human resources : Pensions
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Energy
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Project finance and PFI
- Public sector : Education
- Public sector : Local government
- Real estate : Commercial property: Manchester
- Real estate : Construction
- Real estate : Planning and environment
- Real estate : Property litigation
- Real estate : Social housing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Sport
Philippines
Qatar
Offices in Doha
South Africa
Offices in Johannesburg
Scotland
Offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow G2, Edinburgh EH3, Glasgow G2, and Edinburgh EH3
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in Scotland
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate tax
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Crime: fraud
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Licensing
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Finance : Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Human resources : Employment
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Human resources : Immigration
- Human resources : Pensions
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Energy (excluding oil and gas)
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Oil and gas
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Projects
- Public sector : Education
- Public sector : Health
- Real estate : Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Real estate : Commercial property: Elsewhere in Scotland
- Real estate : Construction
- Real estate : Environment
- Real estate : Planning
- Real estate : Property litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms
- Transport
Singapore
Offices in Singapore
West Midlands
Offices in Birmingham
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Birmingham
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation: Birmingham
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Finance : Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Human resources : Employment
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Human resources : Pensions
- Private client : Charities and not-for-profit
- Private client : Personal tax, trusts and probate
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Energy
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Project finance and PFI
- Public sector : Education
- Public sector : Health
- Public sector : Local government
- Real estate : Commercial property: Birmingham
- Real estate : Construction
- Real estate : Planning
- Real estate : Property litigation
- Real estate : Social housing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms
Yorkshire and the Humber
Offices in Leeds
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate tax
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Finance : Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Human resources : Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Human resources : Pensions
- Projects, energy and natural resources (including PFI) : Energy
- Projects, energy and natural resources (including PFI) : Infrastructure
- Public sector : Education
- Public sector : Local government
- Real estate : Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
- Real estate : Construction
- Real estate : Environment
- Real estate : Planning
- Real estate : Property litigation
- Real estate : Social housing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms