The Legal 500

This practice acts for a wide range of commercial clients and has notable strengths in insolvency as well as in litigation, including IT disputes, intellectual property and other highly technical and specialist areas.

The firm: Partners and staff offer an approach that is at once forward-looking and professional. The firm is committed to providing an excellent service at an affordable price, delivered with energy and pragmatism and an awareness of clients’ business needs. The client base includes major public companies in the financial, retailing and other fields, as well as government departments, small businesses and individuals.

With roots going back to 1851, Moon Beever and its predecessors have always practised in and around Bloomsbury. The current premises near the British Museum are ideally suited for access to both the City and the law courts.

The firm continues to develop departmental expertise and has made bold steps in the recruitment of senior specialists from leading chartered accountancy and noted law firms. The result is a more rounded approach to client matters in areas most other firms would not be able to manage in-house. The insolvency and business recovery department has built a strong reputation with insolvency practitioner and creditor clients alike. Recent years have seen the department act in some of the most significant UK cases in years.

As the London office of ShawnCoulson International Lawyers, the firm continues to expand and develop a strong foothold in the international legal market. Frances Coulson became president of R3, the insolvency trade body, in April 2011, adding to the firm’s outlook and high-level involvement in the insolvency field.

Types of work undertaken: Expertise includes an increasing amount of information technology work, as well as commercial contract disputes and arbitrations.

Niche expertise in insolvency and recovery services includes bankruptcy and individual voluntary arrangements, retention of title claims, liquidations, receiverships, corporate voluntary arrangements, administrations and directors’ responsibilities. Commercial debt recovery is undertaken for both small and large organisations. Employment litigation includes dismissal claims, redundancy and restrictive covenant actions. Corporate and partnership disputes are handled, as are all types of property disputes.

Comprehensive company and commercial services include acquisitions and disposals of companies and businesses, company and business formations, administration of companies, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, management buy-outs and intellectual property. Computer contracts, pension schemes and banking and all types of lending work are handled. Advice is given on all aspects of EU law. Services for private clients include trusts, settlements and wills, financial advice, tax planning and all matters regarding separation and divorce. Commercial and residential property services cover property developments and funding, acquisitions and sales, landlord and tenant law, planning matters, auctions and tenders, building contracts and property taxation.

The debt recovery department handles high volume recoveries in the utilities, property, local authority, insurance and debt purchase sectors in particular.

With Moon Beever’s participation in ShawnCoulson, international work forms an increasing percentage of the whole, enabling the firm to grow with its clients in breadth and service. The firm has introduced full client file access online and continues to develop its technology to provide the best service to clients.

Breakdown of work %
Insolvency  40
IT law and litigation  5
Other litigation  10
Company and commercial (including intellectual property)  10
Trusts and probate  25
Property  10

Number of UK partners 7
Number of other UK fee-earners 22