Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited > Dudley, England > Firm Profile

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited
CASTLE COURT
2 CASTLEGATE WAY
DUDLEY
DY1 4RH
England

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 2

The ‘professional’ and ‘personable’ Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited handles contractual, partnership and shareholder disputes in a broad range of sectors, such as IT, pharmaceutical and insurance. Insurance litigation, including professional negligence claims, is a key focus for the practice. ‘Extremely knowledgeable’ managing director Harminder Sandhu leads the team with extensive experience in handling complex commercial disputes, including those related to fraud and negligence issues, among other areas.

Practice head(s):

Harminder Sandhu

Testimonials

‘They are a professional but very personable team. Not just the partners, but this resonates down to all the employees at every level.’

‘Harminder Sandhu will absorb information quickly and knows what questions to ask to ensure she gives the fullest advice possible. This is always totally honest and comprehensive, even if it’s not what I want to hear but definitely what I need to be told.’

‘The individuals are very proactive and up to date with solutions to problems. Always return phone calls and then e-mail to confirm the advice given.’

‘Strong relationships with its clients.’

‘Hawkins Hatton are very professional and attend to all matters in a businesslike manner.’

‘Harminder is extremely knowledgeable and helpful and keeps the cost to a minimum, which is rare with solicitors.’

‘The practice is unique in its ability to get straight to the issue in hand and offer an agreeable to resolution. They have extensive of knowledge of all areas of corporate law and are always on hand to give advice.’

‘All the partners and associates are approachable and always available to discuss any matter you ask them to. Sometimes you just want to run an issue by them to get a second opinion, and they are always on hand to advise.’

Key clients

4 Ashes Property Holdings Limited

R & RW Bartlett Limited

Lisega Ltd

Computors Limited

Service Sector Consultants Ltd

Inshore Support Limited

Celloglas Limited

Arca Living Limited

P.A.B Coventry Ltd

Conway Packaging Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted for a specialist haulage company in a multi-party dispute involving complex legal arguments about contractual terms and liability.
  • Acted for the UK division of a German-based company which is a world leader in the supply of pipe support in its $3m dispute with a competitor arising out of a failed joint venture where the end customer is state owned.
  • Attended an all-day mediation on behalf an IT company in its longstanding dispute with a customer where the complication was that the main part of the project had been contracted to a third party contactor.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 3

Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ‘excellent service’ and its ‘ fast, conscientious, and service-oriented work’, the Dudley-based Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited regularly works with a number of clients – both domestic and international – on M&A deals and reorganisations. With more than three decades of experience in the market, Colin Rodrigues is a seasoned corporate and real estate practitioner whose recent highlights include a host of multi-million-pound acquisitions and divestitures for corporates in the construction, media, and pharmaceutical sectors, among others.

Practice head(s):

Colin Rodrigues

Testimonials

‘A focused corporate law practice, with the relevant specialisms to handle most corporate law requirements.’

The senior personnel are very experienced and pragmatic in their approach to advising upon transactions, plus the fees they charge are very competitive compared to other law firms in the region who have corporate transactional teams/expertise.’

‘Colin Rodrigues is, in my opinion, a very good corporate transactional lawyer.’

‘Colin has many years experience which he brings to bear. He has always treated my clients extremely well in terms of advice and manner.’

‘Extremely professional. Excellent service.’

‘The people at Hawkins Hatton deliver fast, conscientious and service-oriented work.’

‘Colin cares for his clients and is always ready to assist.’

‘They always offer a highly personal and practical service.’

Key clients

Counterplas Ltd

Conway Packaging Services Limited

Sicon limited

Pestproof limited

IDS Transport (UK) limited

Medicom Helathpro Limited

Kay Group Holdings Limited

Zip Clip Limited

GB Tyres Limited

Generix Facades ltd

IBC Healthcare Ltd

Work highlights

  • Acted for Sicon Limited on the sale of their entire share capital.
  • Instructed by the shareholders of PestProof to act on the sale of the entire share capital to Rollins UK Holdings Ltd.
  • Instructed by a Belgium-based company active in the industrial, construction and agricultural sector to act on two large acquisitions during the course of 2022.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 4

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited often acts on behalf of lenders, advising them in relation to finance for corporate acquisitions, corporate restructurings and management buyouts (MBOs). Colin Rodrigues leads the team that ‘consistently exceeds expectations’, advising on corporate and real estate-related banking matters.

Practice head(s):

Colin Rodrigues

Other key lawyers:

Harminder Sandhu

Testimonials

‘The Hawkins Hatton team are very proactive, collaborative and practical.’

‘They double head transactions, so there is always someone on hand to help, answer queries and provide practical guidance. They are very responsive.’

‘Colin Rodrigues is a first-class professional adviser and an entrepreneur – he grasps issues quickly and outlines options and next steps with appropriate recommendations. Always available and on hand to help get deals done!’

‘They are constantly looking to innovate and push the deal forward with seeking solutions before presenting any issues raised during enquiries, a unique selling point not witnessed with other solicitors I have personally experienced.’

‘Hawkins Hatton excel in service delivery, the speed of their response is superb from first referral right through to case completion, and throughout their communication is best in class. They excel at keeping professionals as well as clients up to date at all times.’

‘The partners are very well-connected right across the professionals networks of the Midlands, London and elsewhere. As a result, they can offer unique solutions to a variety of client needs, be it initial advice right through to a niche international transaction.’

‘Everyone is fully aware of case progressions and so can pick up and react accordingly. Highly experienced, collaborative and professional team who are a pleasure to deal with in all interactions.’

‘Colin Rodrigues and Harminder Sandhu are stand-outs however the whole team give exemplary service and support in each & every interaction.’

Key clients

HSBC (UK) Bank Plc

NatWest Bank PLC

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

Lloyds Bank

CAPC UK Limited

Frontier Development Capital

Finance Birmingham

Barclays Bank PLC

Empire Finance

Invest & Fund

Work highlights

  • Acted for HSBC in relation to the acquisition of a number of Caravan Park sites in or around Wales with finance ranging from £4-£7m.
  • Acted for NatWest in respect of an acquisition coupled with the refinance of an existing property in the healthcare sector where the total finance exceeded £4m.
  • Acted for Lloyds in connection with the purchase of a substantial iconic commercial property located in the Midlands, which was acquired by the borrower in two different entities and the title split to facilitate separate financial support from a second tier lender.

Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in the West Midlands Tier 4

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited's team covers a range of industry sectors, from the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields, to engineering and manufacturing. Practice head Colin Rodrigues has recently handled investments and other real estate matters for clients in the care, engineering and manufacturing sectors. Alexander Boyle and Natasha Chifamba are also recommended. All named lawyers are based in Dudley.

Practice head(s):

Colin Rodrigues

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They follow the job to the end. I could rely on them to see the job completed in the end.’

‘They were flexible, and they understood what I needed from them.’

‘They believe in building strong relationships with their clients – so that they know their business.’

‘They are available to talk when needed -and respond quickly to emails and correspondence – you can always get hold of someone!’

‘Extremely responsive and always available. Our counter-parties on legal transactions have commended the pace and quality of the firm’s work.’

‘Very good practice, handling my needs and requests.’

‘Reliable and personable.’

‘Colin Rodrigues goes the extra mile to ensure that the work is completed to deadlines, even when the challenges appear unsurmountable.’

Key clients

Siren property Limited

IBC Healthcare Group Limited

Counterplas Investments Limited

Murphy Property Investments Ltd

Sovereign Group Holding Limited

CMT Engineering Limited

Premier Access Solutions Limited

Safe Fence Holding Limited

GB Tyres UK Limited

Simco Properties Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted for a care sector client in the refinance of 16 freehold and leasehold properties for the sum of £22m.
  • Acted on behalf of a client on the acquisition of a large warehouse complex (5,260.24 sq m) located north of Birmingham City Centre for a purchase price of £4m.
  • Acted on behalf of a client in the acquisition of a vast commercial site out of which its trading company traded pursuant to a lease with the benefit of an option to buy.

This is a niche corporate law firm based in Dudley, primarily dealing with corporate and commercial work, together with commercial property and litigation. Its client base includes European and Anglo-US companies, as well as regional and national clients, and individuals.

The firm: Hawkins Hatton was formed in December 2005 with the single ambition of creating a different type of practice; one that not only delivers the desired results for clients, but puts the smooth running of their business at the forefront of everything the practice does. The firm sets out to provide a true legal partnership based on a refreshingly different and commercial approach. Its client base includes a number of banks, notably RBS, Lloyds, HSBC and Santander, and a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Now with three directors and 20 staff, the firm is continually expanding and operates out of purpose-built premises at Castlegate Business Park in Dudley, which enables it to facilitate corporate transactions. Hawkins Hatton is a forward-thinking practice focused on providing excellent services for clients.

Types of work undertaken: Hawkins Hatton provides a full range of company and commercial services. It is known particularly for private equity work for management teams, management buyouts, sales, mergers, acquisitions and disposals for shareholders of small and medium-sized enterprises, and a broad range of day-to-day corporate work, including restructuring of companies (eg section 110, statutory demerger and capital reduction) and related tax issues. Services include drafting of sale and purchase agreements, disclosure letters, tax deeds, loan notes and ancillary matters. Commercial contract expertise includes agency and distribution, consultants, franchises, guarantees, intellectual property, joint ventures, partnerships, shareholder agreements, terms of business, technology/IT and mortgage securitisation for banks and other financial bodies.

Commercial property expertise includes large-scale site acquisitions and disposals, property development, property finance and investment, corporate support for major transactions and commercial leases. Hawkins Hatton can offer clients advice on a broader range of specialist areas, including property investment and finance, development schemes, compulsory purchase issues, construction, and commercial leases for clients including landlords and tenants, public companies, banks, private companies, developers and investors.

A wide range of complex and high-value litigation is expertly handled by the expanding commercial litigation department, which routinely deals with injunctive proceedings, breaches of directors’ duties, derivative claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, and serious white-collar fraud claims on behalf of both claimants and defendants. In the last 12 months the commercial litigation department has enjoyed noteworthy successes. Insurance litigation (including professional negligence) continues to be a key feature of the department. The firm is a keen advocate of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, in appropriate cases.

Hawkins Hatton will continue to expand, broadening the range and depth of experience that it provides to clients.

Department Name Email Telephone
Finance director Colin Rodrigues
Managing director Harminder Sandhu
Photo Name Position Profile
Colin Rodrigues photo Colin Rodrigues Corporate partner with Hawkins Hatton, heading up the firm’s corporate team. Involved…
Harminder Sandhu photo Harminder Sandhu Managing partner with Hawkins Hatton advising and conducting complex professional negligence claims…
Number of UK directors : 3
Number of other UK fee-earners : 12