The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: The West Country, Michelmores LLP is a first tier firm,

Michelmores LLP has ‘strength in depth’, and two ‘leading lights’ in Stephen Morse and Richard Cobb; the latter joined from Bond Pearce LLP and ‘consistently delivers outstanding results’. The team advised REDS Technology on acquiring two renewable energy companies, and also acted for Swedfund on its equity investment in Mada. It is noted for its ‘increasing amount of national recognition’.

Within EU and competition, Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Michelmores LLP provides ‘efficient, yet personal service’, has an ‘excellent ethos and the team works hard to understand the client’s business’. Jason Phelps’ advice is ‘focused, authoritative and clear’, and team head Ian Holyoak is also recommended. The group advised St Austell Brewery on beer tie arrangements, and provided EU public procurement advice to Teignbridge District Council regarding a regeneration project.

Within Commercial litigation: The West Country, Michelmores LLP is a first tier firm,

Michelmores LLP gives clients ‘confidence to tackle complex issues’. It successfully brought a judicial review against the Secretary of State on the government’s payouts to tainted blood victims, and continues to act for Intelsat on enforcement matters. Tim Richards heads the team.

Within Debt recovery, Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Michelmores LLP’s practice encompasses all areas of debt recovery, including pre-litigation action, issue of claims and enforcement. Group head Simon Barnett is recommended.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Charles Maunder and Philip Ryley head the ‘committed’ team at Michelmores LLP, which offers ‘sound and commercial advice’. It acted for State Bank of India regarding a $25m letter of credit facility, and for ICICI Bank on a $87.5m loan to a Saudi Arabian company.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP advised the UK private equity funder of a French corporate group with liabilities exceeding €30m, and continues to advise Bridge Business Recovery as administrators of Altala Group. Charles Maunder handles matters ‘promptly and with confidence’ and is ‘very capable of sparring with the big firms’. Stephen Lawson gives ‘concise advice’ and a ‘clear opinion on strategy’.

Within Employment: The West Country, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP’s ‘first-class’ employment team acts for clients including Devon Primary Care NHS Trust and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Practice head Andrew Tobey is recommended; Tim Davies provides ‘practical, business-focused advice’; and James Baker always gives clients his ‘undivided attention’.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Michelmores LLP is a first tier firm,

Laurence Vick heads the team at Michelmores LLP and has ‘outstanding dedication’. He recently achieved a multimillion-pound settlement on a brain injury case. Bernadette McGhie is ‘kind, very professional, and efficient’, with niche expertise in cosmetic surgery cases.

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, tier 4

Philip Wolfgang at Michelmores LLP is ‘highly capable, exceptionally efficient and knowledgeable’.

Within Charities, Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Shivaji Shiva’s team at Michelmores LLP specialises in offering support to local authorities, arts organisations, education bodies and religious charities. The team delivered a national training programme for the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) on contract law for organisations seeking to deliver public services.

Within Family, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP’s ‘competent and prompt’ team offers the full range of services and is headed by Simon Thomas, who is ‘very good, sensible and resolute if necessary’. Vanessa Priddis is recommended for childcare matters. Zoe Porter made partner in 2010.

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

Michelmores LLP provides ‘expansive knowledge’ and an ‘extremely professional service’. It acts on high-value matters, and was recently retained by the shareholders of a £50m property investment group. Practice head Will Michelmore is ‘very able, concise and approachable’; Adrian Miller is ‘much liked and admired’; and Tony Cockayne is also recommended.

Within Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Carol McCormack OBE’s team at Michelmores LLP is accessible and highly recommended.

Within Local government, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP’s group is led by Carol McCormack OBE, and acts on matters including construction, contracts, employment, IT and outsourcing. The group acts for West Dorset District Council on many of its s106 agreements, and advised the London Borough of Islington on a proposed redevelopment. Other clients include Devon County Council.

Within Commercial property: The West Country, Michelmores LLP is a first tier firm,

Michelmores LLP advised Barratt Urban Regeneration on a £100m redevelopment bid, and Exeter and Devon Airport on an airport hotel development. The team includes the ‘ruthlessly efficient’ David Howe, but recently saw the departure of the ‘extremely competent’ Cameron Caverhill to Kitsons LLP.

Within Construction, Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Michelmores LLP’s team, headed by Gerald Offen, represented Amara Estates on high-value contractual matters, and Barratt Urban Regeneration on a £100m redevelopment. The ‘committed’ Gareth Morgan provides advice ‘imbued with practicality’.

Within Environment, tier 4

Michelmores LLP’s Mark Howard ‘knows how to plan a case strategically’, and is ‘level headed and to the point’.

Within Planning, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP acted for Exeter & Devon Airport on its major development scheme, and advised Cavanna Homes and Bovis Homes on a 250-home development. Practice head Graham Cridland and Mark Howard are recommended.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Michelmores LLP advised Barratt Homes on contractual provisions contained in a tripartite agreement, and Eagle One Properties regarding a tenant’s administration. Rob Nicholson gives ‘prompt and considered advice’, and ‘resolves matters swiftly’.

Within Intellectual property, Michelmores LLP is a second tier firm,

Michelmores LLP represents the University of Plymouth, which it assisted with its IP commercialisation partner selection project. The team also acted for the Office for National Statistics in producing IP licence agreement templates. Rehman Noormohamed provides ‘timely and strategic’ advice, and is ‘extremely supportive’.

Within IT and telecoms, Michelmores LLP is a third tier firm,

Rehman Noormohamed at Michelmores LLP displays ‘business acumen and tenacity’ in representing clients such as Landmark Information Group and Devon County Council. The team assisted Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in procuring and replacing a command and control system, and advised Cornwall Council on selecting an investor to deliver broadband access to the county. Tim Richards is recommended for IT disputes.