The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, RPC is a second tier firm,

Commercial contract and outsourcing work is a core area for RPC; following recent recruitment, the firm has a 12-partner team assisted by 17 associates, and as a unit it provides an ‘excellent, results-driven service’ and displays ‘great stamina on major deals’. David Meredith and Andrew Sutherland show ‘impressive strategic thinking’, and recently led the advice to SITA on a global managed cloud computing infrastructure. Longstanding clients include HMV, Sports Direct and the National Trust, alongside new gains HTC, CBS Interactive and Spectrum Brands. Tim Anderson handles a broad range of commercial work for clients in the publishing arena, notably Associated Newspapers. Oliver Bray is well respected by peers, and Sanjay Pritam is ‘a confident, reliable and commercial operator’.

Within Financial services, tier 5

RPC advises City businesses on set-up, authorisation, supervision, and enforcement issues. The insurance sector, wealth advisers, and the financial services practices of accountancy firms remain the practice’s core specialisms. Jonathan Davies advises the insurance industry on FSA issues. Steven Francis and Richard Burger both have a background working at the FSA.

Within M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m, RPC is a third tier firm,

RPC’s ‘knowledgeable and practicable’ corporate team regularly punches above its weight in terms of deal size, with its advice to SCA AB on its €1.32bn binding offer to acquire Georgia-Pacific’s European tissue operations a standout example. Tim Anderson heads the corporate team. Private equity head David Wallis is ‘bright, thoughtful, experienced and a pleasure to deal with’.

Within Partnership, RPC is a third tier firm,

Geraldine Elliott’s team at RPC demonstrates ‘first-rate understanding’ of its clients in the professional services and financial sector, and has seen an increase in activity relating to fund structures; Perlus Investment Management LLP is a recent client. Andrew Hodge is active on the non-contentious side, and has healthcare sector experience.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, RPC is a second tier firm,

Regularly advising clients on the UK implications of criminal proceedings brought in foreign jurisdictions, RPC’s team includes Steven Francis, who is ‘always willing to think outside the box’; newly promoted partner Richard Burger; and ‘seasoned financial crime litigator’ Lindsay Middleton, who joined the firm as an associate.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

Rising a tier in the ranking this year, the team at Reed Smith has ‘a good feel for what an in-house counsel needs, without having to be micromanaged’. Charles Hewetson is ‘one of the smartest lawyers in the City’; Richard Spafford is ‘very commercial and a good strategist’; David Warne is ‘a master tactician’; and Patrick Beale ‘never lets go and usually gets the result he is after’. The firm advised HSBC in the Algosaibi litigation; and represented BC Capital Group in its dispute with Société Générale, which raised issues of market practice in the field of structured products based on hedge funds. Marcus Rutherford moved to Enyo Law LLP, and Simon Hart joined RPC.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

RPC offers ‘quality advice and business knowledge’. The practice recently acted for the claimants in a confidential information and breach of fiduciary duty case. Geraldine Elliott is team head, and Jaron Lewis, Rupert Boswall and Tim Brown are also recommended. Simon Hart joined from Reed Smith.

Within Defamation and privacy, RPC is a first tier firm,

RPC has ‘a great understanding of the needs of newspapers, having represented almost all of the nationals at some point’. The group had ‘an amazing year for defendant work’, and ‘seems stronger than ever, having always been excellent’. It was recently involved in a test case for Google concerning defamatory comments made by users of its blogging platform Blogger.com. Jaron Lewis heads the media group; he is ‘imaginative, intellectual, strategic, client focused, and cool as a cucumber – he’s got the lot’. Also recommended are Keith Mathieson (‘just talking to him makes you feel you are in safe hands’); David Hooper; and senior associate Brid Jordan.

Within International arbitration, tier 6

RPC is regularly instructed by private insurers, with construction being a substantial focus. The group also acts in international trade, IP, telecoms and joint venture disputes. Jonathan Wood has a ‘great deal of knowledge’; and Clive Thorne also attracts praise.

Within Professional discipline, RPC is a third tier firm,

RPC’s team is ‘highly professional, and works in a timely manner’, and is ‘very knowledgeable about complex healthcare matters’. Key clients include the Medical Protection Society, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, and the British Osteopathic Association. The firm also acts for a number of law firms and financial organisations. Claire Jaycock and Dorothy Flower are recommended.

Within Tax litigation, RPC is a second tier firm,

RPC’s team has expert knowledge in GLO matters, and disputes involving HMRC. It acted for L’Oréal in a claim against HMRC and the Attorney General, and for Greene King in a dispute over the correct tax treatment of intra-group finance arrangements. Jonathan Levy and Adam Craggs are recommended.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, RPC is a third tier firm,

Clients of RPC include Veolia Environmental Services, Associated Newspapers and Chubb Insurance, as well as senior executives; the team recently acted for an executive in a significant inter-dealer broker dispute. The ‘expert’ and ‘commercial’ team includes Andrew Hodge, Patrick Brodie and Cath Thorpe.

Within Health and safety, RPC is a third tier firm,

RPC’s team has ‘significant expertise’ and is ‘strong competition’ in the London market. Its 2011 work included representing German company Newag at an inquest into the double fatality after the Channel Tunnel rail link crash. It also assisted in a number of cases involving significant accidents currently under investigation by the HSE. Nick McMahon is ‘unflappable and a very shrewd tactician’.

Within Pensions, RPC is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is recommended for its ‘seamless fusion of technical pensions expertise and litigation know-how’. The firm advised on the pre-pack insolvency of the Silentnight Group, and oversaw the merger of six schemes into a new scheme set up by Honeywell. New client wins included Barclays and Sainsbury’s. The firm also acted in the Stena Line v MNRPF Trustees case and the Pilots litigation. Pensions group head Nigel Moore is recommended for ‘his ability to clearly and succinctly articulate the law, and formulate and execute strategy rapidly’. Mark Atkinson is ‘one of the best technical pensions lawyers around’. Mark Grant is ‘unrivalled in any matter involving black-letter pensions legal knowledge, and litigation strategy’. Neil Smith ‘always has his eye on the big picture, is a tough negotiator, and is terrific at making the right calls at the right time’. In 2011, the firm hired James Parker and Mike Munro from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, to set up a new life, pensions and longevity risk group. Keith Webster and Rebecca Smith left the firm, to join Osborne Clarke and RPC respectively.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant Leading individuals: Clinical negligence

Within Clinical negligence: defendant, RPC is a third tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ Dorothy Flower heads a team at RPC whose depth of knowledge and insurance sector experience make it a ‘first choice for complex and large-value claims’. The practice includes inquests and cross-jurisdictional work, and clients include reproductive health care providers and advisers, the MPS, the RCN and various Lloyd’s underwriters.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, RPC is a third tier firm,

RPC has a leading property, D&O and financial institutions team, and has seen growth on the reinsurance side. The team recently acting for a number of the largest UK insurers in claims arising from the London riots. Victoria Sherratt joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP and is highly recommended along with James Miller; ‘both quickly grasp issues and provide concise and high-quality advice’. Catherine Percy ‘gets to the heart of the matter. and always acts in the client’s best interests’. Also recommended are Jason Bright, Paul Dowsey and Alex Hamer. The ‘personable and dynamic’ Alison Clarke was promoted to partner. The firm has recently opened offices in Bristol and Singapore.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, RPC is a second tier firm,

RPC is ‘outstanding value for money’, and attracts high-profile M&A instructions from major insurers such as RSA and Chaucer Holdings plc. Head of department James Mee is ‘very commercial and solutions oriented’. Peter Hill joined from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, adding expertise in broker acquisitions. The team has significant regulatory expertise, and recently advised the Lloyd’s Market Association on the remuneration of insurance brokers and standard terms of business agreements. Jonathan Davies and Richard Burger are ‘outstanding lawyers’, and Sanjay Pritam is recommended for his outsourcing work.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, RPC is a second tier firm,

RPC’s distressed situations team prides itself on providing novel and technical solutions to insurers. Vivien Tyrell is highly regarded, and is noted for her ‘detailed knowledge and practical advice’. She recently advised the London outwards reinsurers of Western Pacific Insurance Company, which became insolvent as a result of the Christchurch earthquake. Clients include HDI-Gerling, Odyssey Re and Argo.

Within Personal injury: defendant, tier 4

At RPC, Gavin Reese heads a large loss department with coverage expertise. Clients include London market insurers Hiscox and Catlin.

Within Product liability: defendant, RPC is a third tier firm,

Stuart White at RPC is highlighted for his ‘excellent attention to detail, client care and strategic sense’, and the team as a whole is ‘one of the best for commercial product liability with insurance issues’. Clients include leading insurers and reinsurers, such as Munich Re, and Clover Leaf Products, the UK distributor of PIP breast implants.

Within Professional negligence, RPC is a first tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ 20-partner team at RPC ‘values strong relationships with its clients’, and is ‘approachable, commercial, savvy and clever’. Led by Tim Bull (‘excellent on complex and sensitive matters’), the team focuses on high-value, complex matters across sectors including construction, technology, financial and legal. The ‘incredibly thorough’ Nick Bird has a ‘razor-sharp mind’; Alexandra Anderson is ‘brilliant’; Katherine Rees is ‘excellent with clients’; and Robert Hogarth is ‘impressive’. Paul Castellani is ‘first rate’, and Simon Laird is ‘responsive and very client focused’. Alison Clarke was promoted to partner. The firm recently expanded its professional negligence offering in Bristol, led by the ‘brilliant’ Jeremy Barnes, ex CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. Jane Howard moved to Wragge & Co LLP.

Within Education: individuals Leading individuals: Education

Within Education: institutions Leading individuals: Education

Within Education: schools, RPC is a second tier firm,

RPC provides ‘excellent advice’ to schools regarding parental complaints, constitutional queries, exclusions and admissions, employment issues and academy conversions. The ‘very able’ Geraldine Elliott leads the team.

Within Commercial property, RPC is a third tier firm,

Martin Barrett’s team at RPC advises on investment, finance, development and regeneration projects for property holding companies, institutional investors, developers and corporate occupiers. Notable recent instructions include advising on the acquisition of Georgia-Pacific’s European Tissue operations, including 48 properties in 14 jurisdictions. Stephen Malley and David Johnston are recommended.

Within Construction, tier 4

RPC is ‘experienced in understanding the commercial imperatives that drive the resolution of disputes’, particularly for insurers. It has grown its developer and contractor client base, attracting instructions from Carillion, although Kevin Forsyth’s move to Speechly Bircham LLP in March 2012 may shake the group’s foothold in this area. Alexandra Anderson and the ‘intellectually gifted’ Robert Hogarth handle construction defect claims. Stephen Malley recently advised Hadley Mace on a regeneration project.

Within Planning, tier 6

RPC’s ‘very commercial’ and ‘down-to-earth’ planning department is assisting RWE npower in relation to a major pipeline project, which will be the subject of an application to the IPC for a development consent order. Senior associate Eleanor Penn is ‘excellent’.

Within Property finance, tier 4

RPC’s team was joined by David Johnston from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. In a high-profile mandate, Gwyneth Macaulay advised Flour Mills of Nigeria on a £143m syndicated financing of a new sugar refinery and plantation in Lagos.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

RPC provides ‘truly excellent’ advice to developers in relation to residential-led, mixed-use schemes. Senior associate Chhavie Kapoor is ‘always on top of the legal issues’, and Tim Fogarty is ‘astute’.

Within Brand management, RPC is a second tier firm,

‘A firm on the way up’, RPC’s clients include agencies Vibrant Media and WPP Group as well as consumer product companies such as Sports Direct, SCA and Spectrum Brands. For advertising matters, Oliver Bray is ‘absolutely excellent and genuinely interested in the client’s business’. He continues to act for Associated Newspapers, recently advising on regulatory issues and on promotional activities with Wowcher. David Cran advises lastminute.com on brand enforcement matters. Paul Joseph was promoted to the partnership.

Within Intellectual property, RPC is a third tier firm,

RPC’s key strength is in trade marks, where it has recently handled cross-border and High Court litigation, and it continues to expand its patents expertise. The group also successfully defended Bloomsbury Publishing against a copyright infringement claim regarding the Harry Potter series. Jeremy Drew and David Cran handle contentious and commercial matters. Clive Thorne has ‘a wealth of experience in IP’, and successfully represented Apimed in a patent infringement appeal.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

RPC is ‘sensible, commercially minded and solutions driven’, handling large-scale and cross-border outsourcings and projects as well as contentious matters. Jeremy Drew leads the team, and Andrew Sutherland is a ‘very sound commercial lawyer who understands technically complex issues’. Oliver Bray advised Saffron Digital on agreements with Samsung and Blockbuster to deliver video content on mobile phone devices. Commercial and regulatory expert Stephen Smith joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.

Within Media and entertainment, RPC is a first tier firm,

RPC advises newspapers on ‘complicated, time-sensitive matters efficiently and confidently’. Practice head Jaron Lewis, who successfully represented Google in two main test cases, is acting for new client News International. Oliver Bray is advising publishers and retailers including Waterstone’s and HMV on content licensing, ebooks and apps. Corporate partner Tim Anderson is advising Associated Newspapers on the Daily Mail and General Trust merger with Zoopla. ‘Reliable, commercial operator’ Sanjay Pritam advises Harmsworth Printing, Fox International and YouTube. David Hooper successfully defended Bloomsbury in copyright infringement proceedings concerning the Harry Potter books. Robert Johnson joined from McGrigors LLP. Paul Joseph was promoted to partner.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, tier 4

RPC’s Clive Thorne handles patent matters for life sciences clients, and recently acted for Apimed Medical Honey in a wound care product patent dispute, which reached the Court of Appeal. Other clients include Derma Sciences and Amlin. Dorothy Flower advises on product liability matters and clinical trials.

Within Sport, tier 5

RPC’s Jeremy Drew and Jaron Lewis have a quality practice representing sports retailers, among others.