The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Newcastle, tier 4

Mincoff Solicitors LLP acted for Northern Bear plc on constitutional, corporate governance and AGM matters, and Nichol & Laidlow on a £5.5m contract with United Biscuits. The ‘pragmatic and knowledgeable’ Paul Hughes heads up the team.

Within Licensing, Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

Associate Matthew Foster does a ‘good job’ at Mincoff Solicitors LLP. Key highlights included advising a number of charities on fundraising methods, handling s136 prosecutions, and varying several operating licences to include bingo and betting activities.

Within Commercial litigation: Newcastle, tier 4

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s Sara Keating, who is praised for her ‘ability to think ahead’, is currently defending a claim in the High Court for injunctive relief, and continues to advise on property litigation matters.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

2010 saw the team at Mincoff Solicitors LLP advise on alternative funding options and on the restructuring and amendment of existing credit facilities, for clients including Northern Bear plc. John Nicholson is the key banking contact.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery , Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

The two-partner team at Mincoff Solicitors LLP handled several business acquisitions on a pre-pack basis from administrators, as well as solvent reconstructions of existing businesses.

Within Employment, tier 4

The team at Mincoff Solicitors LLP provides ‘good-quality advice’ and recently assisted clients with Employment Tribunal claims, injunction applications and TUPE matters. Nick Smith provides ‘appropriate and sound advice’ and is supported by Gillian Barlow, who recently arrived from Crutes Law Firm.

Within Pensions, Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s Nick Smith has extensive pensions law experience and is currently advising employers on day-to-day issues regarding occupational pension trustees, and individuals on the management of personal pension schemes.

Within Regional review,

Other notable firms include Mincoff Solicitors LLP, in a broad range of areas including leisure and licensing; and Jacksons Law, which is consolidating its Stockton presence and steadily developing its Newcastle offering.

Within Family, Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ Mike Smith at Mincoff Solicitors LLP continues to provide a ‘very good’ service to matrimonial clients, and is particularly strong on the financial settlement front.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 4

Mincoff Solicitors LLP has entered the market with the recent hire of the ‘outstanding’ Louise Miller.

Within Commercial property: Newcastle, tier 4

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s commercial property department is the largest in the firm, and includes Howard Gold and five associates. It continues to build on its extensive leisure sector expertise, and is currently advising the Factory Shop on several national retail leases in light of its plans to expand.

Within Intellectual property, Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s IP practice went from strength to strength in 2010. It advised on an application to register a European trade mark, and successfully defended Nichol & Laidlow in trade mark opposition proceedings by Nestlé SA.

Within IT and telecoms, Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s IT team is ‘absolutely top notch’, with John Nicholson singled out for his ‘visionary’ approach and Antony Hall for his dedication and support. The team provides day-to-day advice to Emailvision, an international provider of email-based marketing services, and recently advised Komodo Design on a range of complex agreements.

Within Media , Mincoff Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

2010 saw Mincoff Solicitors LLP act for a publisher on the production of a digital version of its magazine for the iPad and iPod, and for another client on an agreement to produce a television show for Virgin 1. It also advised Fighters Only on the production of magazines in various countries.